A Kamloops councillor says the City continues to advocate for the development of land at Sixth Avenue and Columbia Streets, which is owned by the provincial government.

Bill Sarai says he believes the city has made good progress in trying to convince the B.C. Government to develop the so-called Columbia Precinct lands, into some much needed housing.

“[Housing] Minster [Ravi] Kahlon is very aware of it, and he’s working with the agencies that are all involved in that piece of property,” Sarai said, on NL Newsday. “He sees the benefit of the development of that site for multi-use for all types of housing, complex care, supportive housing, recovery housing.”

“It’s got seniors housing already. Glenfair is already in the books and approved for redevelopment, they’re going to do it in two phases. The next phase is probably one at a time, and they’re going to come back on what is most needed in our community.”

Sarai also said the Columbia site could also be home to a permanent year-round shelter as it is “zoned appropriately.”

“[Minister Kahlon is] totally on board and said that he’ll be really engaged in this next two weeks,” Sarai added.

“This could be – to me – a game changer for not only Kamloops, but for the rest of the province, and hopefully there will be some good news coming our way within the month.”

It’s not the first time this year where Sarai has floated development plans for that property, having put that question to BC Housing during a January council meeting.

“We as council have all said right from day one, when we first got notified that there’s some potential here, that we would stand behind any development there – all types of housing,” Sarai said in January.

“And we’ve been hearing over and over again that there’s discussion, that there’s going to be some movement on it.”

He also told BC Housing that the City – which has been tasked with building over 4,200 new units in five years – is “willing” to work with the province to build more housing on that site.

“You have the land there, and this would be a big step in alleviating the concerns we have in our community with land that’s already there,” Sarai added. “It’s in an area that is surrounded by hospitals and healthcare.”

“I’m pleading with you, to let you know that you have our 100 per cent support, whatever else you need from us, we are ready to step up. If it’s zoning, whatever it is, we are ready to step up for you.”

Tyler Baker, BC Housing’s Director of Development for the Interior region, said they’re aware that the Columbia Precinct is “a site of opportunity.”

“We’re aware of the motions that have come forward from council of that site, and communications with the ministry on the opportunities there,” Baker said.

Sarai’s comments come as the Province has partnered with Kamloops, as part of its $3-billion BC Builds program, which is meant to fast-track the construction of affordable rental units on land owned by government, communities, and non-profits. The Federal Government announced Tuesday it was adding another $2 billion to that provincial initiative.

At this time, it is not clear if the land at Sixth and Columbia is one of those 20 initial BC Builds sites that have been identified across the province.

Current estimates from City staff are that Kamloops will fall short of the 679 units it is tasked with building this year. Kahlon told Radio NL in January that while its “troubling” to hear those projections from Kamloops, he suggested that punishment isn’t likely to come just yet.