Nunavut’s capital moves closer to approving big downtown development

This map shows the location of QIA’s proposed multi-use downtown development project on the Federal Road, northwest of the four-way stop. (FILE IMAGE)

City staff updated a proposed development project by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association Sept. 16 that would transform a large empty stretch of land on Iqaluit’s Federal Road into a commercial, residential and cultural hub.

“I think we’ve all been excited about this development since we first heard about it,” said Coun. Kenny Bell, who chaired the planning and development committee meeting Sept. 16.

Specific buildings and projects within the development scheme, originally put forward in January, are still being finalized by the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the QIA’s economic development arm.

But the updated scheme, presented Sept. 16, shows possible locations for a hotel and conference centre, as well as an arts centre and cultural heritage building.

The parcel of land measures just over 16 hectares and fronts on Federal Rd. for about one kilometre between the city centre and the North 40 area.

A creek separates a small western portion of the parcel which, according to the scheme, will be left for future industrial development.

The bulk of the parcel, closer to the city centre, will be split roughly in half with a north-south road and development on either side. Park areas, snowmobile trails and even a section of berry-picking tundra are mentioned in the proposal.

Melodie Simard, director of planning and development with the City of Iqaluit, presented the updated scheme, and said the next step will be an application to amend the city’s general plan for rezoning.

Right now, the parcel lies atop three different municipal zones: district commercial, light industrial and open space.

An application to rezone the portion east of the creek to “core area” will be submitted to council Oct. 14, Simard said. That would allow for commercial development.

Once council passes first reading of the application, Iqalungmiut will be given an opportunity to comment on the details of the development project. The development scheme can be downloaded here.

The project is the first privately-lead development within Iqaluit and will likely take several years to complete, Simard said.

At the same meeting, the planning and development committee approved a development permit application for the construction of an Islamic cultural centre on the Road to Nowhere, in the Lake Subdivision area.