The developer proposing to build Port Moody's tallest residential towers — so far — is holding a community information session on Nov. 15.
Vancouver-based PCI Developments is pitching to construct two 39-storey rental towers on Spring Street, adjacent to the Moody Centre SkyTrain station.
The project would comprise 857 new rental apartments, 43 of them to be made available at below-market rates. As well, it would feature a 40,000 sq. ft. grocery store, 15,000 sq. ft. of retail space and an additional 4,000 sq. ft. dedicated to low-cost artist studios.
The developer has also committed to daylighting Slaughterhouse Creek that runs diagonally through the site and constructing a new pedestrian overpass that connects to Murray Street.
A public transit plaza for community gatherings, farmers markets and other events is also part of PCI's proposal.
But a recent staff report identified several concerns including possible complications to the plan for daylighting the creek, which is managed by Metro Vancouver. As well, it said initial renderings of the project's architecture and streetscape could use more "inspiration."
A spokesperson for the developer said the company has met with city staff since the report was authoured to address the concerns, with new drawings of the project’s design concept expected.
Staff did, however, laud the project for its number of below-market apartments as well as its mix of units that includes 46 three-bedroom apartments, 175 with two bedrooms and the remainder one-bedroom or studios. As well, half the total units will be adaptable for tenants with accessibility needs.
The proposal was also reviewed recently by the Port Moody's advisory design panel and land use committee, in advance of a formal presentation to council.
PCI's project is the first to come forward from a consortium of developers and property owners that have been working on a plan to transform 23 acres in the city's Moody Centre neighbourhood into a dense transit-oriented mixed-use community of more than 4,100 homes, commercial and office spaces, a grocery store and artists studios.
The information session will held Nov. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., at 3006 Spring St.
