The capital city is considering allowing 100 rental units to be built on top of the Atlantic Place Parking Garage in the downtown.
An application is before council from John Hearn Architects on behalf of property owner Sonco Group to demolish part of the garage and build rental units on top.
The initial motion, which involves zoning amendments, was approved unanimously by council at yesterday’s regular meeting. That is the first step in a layered approval process, meaning the company does not have a final go-ahead yet for the project.
Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft says it brings her joy to see a proposal that puts the need for homes ahead of the need for parking.
She believes the proposal is “going in a really great direction.” Ravencroft acknowledges a controversial proposal from a few years ago to build a hotel on top of the building. However, she believes this a different situation, noting it would support residents in St. John’s as opposed to commercial tourism, and bring over 100 people right into the heart of downtown.