VICTORIA – The final phase of community engagement on the new Victoria handyDART Centre in View Royal starts today with opportunities to provide feedback until July 23. BC Transit is inviting the community to see the outcomes of the public engagement phases that have helped shape the project to this point and provide their feedback.
Following the easing of some Covid-19 restrictions, opportunities for open air, onsite open houses are now possible after more than year of online and digital community engagement. The open air, open houses are being held at 2401 Burnside Road (the northwest corner of Burnside Road and Watkiss Way intersection) on the following dates:
- Saturday, July 10: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 13: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 14: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
In addition to the in-person opportunities an online survey and dedicated project webpage have been developed to help residents stay up to date on the project and information is being delivered to homes within 500 metres of the property. A project video has also been created that highlights how enhancing handyDART service for our most vulnerable while also expanding Victoria’s conventional bus system, is essential.
The preliminary site plan, the building location, stream restoration enhancements, as well as the nearby streetscape and trail improvements have all benefited from earlier feedback provided by local residents. There’s been ongoing consultation with a Neighbourhood Working Group for the past 1.5 years and more than 20 other local stakeholder groups have been invited to provide feedback.
The thoughtful redevelopment of this site as an opportunity to repair and restore the disturbed ecology of the site, including a portion of the watershed and Craigflower Creek, to design a site and building that can achieve LEED Gold. A recent partnership formed with Salmon Safe will bring additional third-party oversight to stream restoration practices and protection of salmon habitat.
In addition, improvements are planned for the adjacent streetscapes and a portion of the Galloping Goose Trail will be straightened and the grade will be reduces, making the trail safer and more accessible. BC Transit and the Town of View Royal are also in discussions about the potential use of approximately 1.5 acres of the site along Watkiss Way for a new public space.
BC Transit continues to engage with local Indigenous groups to ensure the project is informed by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
The significant investments being made will allow handyDART services to expand in Greater Victoria while also supporting the transition to a fully electric handyDART fleet. The information collected through this phase of engagement will help refine the final design of the new handyDART Centre planned for 2401 Burnside Road.
For more information and to take the online survey visit the Victoria handyDART project page
