Uquutaq proposes new 5-storey affordable housing, commercial building

Updated on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. ET.

The Uquutaq Society is drawing up plans for a potential five-storey, mixed-use affordable housing and commercial building in Iqaluit’s core area.

But the City of Iqaluit has not yet opened up the process to bid on the lot Uquutaq is eyeing, which is located along Queen Elizabeth Way between Northmart and Arctic Ventures in an area called the ATCO Loop, named  after a company in the area.

The City of Iqaluit is planning to issue a request for proposals to develop a part of this area for not-for-profit use. (Image courtesy of City of Iqaluit)

Kevin Eaton, Uquutaq’s incoming executive director, announced the proposal during a community information session hosted by the society’s directors on Monday.

“This project is designed to provide affordable housing to Inuit families and individuals with a focus on those in need of stable, long-term housing options,” Eaton said.

The proposed build includes a commercial space on the first floor, intended for a local non-profit organization.

The four floors above that would be at least 60 residential units, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Eaton said the designs are “preliminary.”

Some of the other features include gathering spaces on the residential floors, and parking spaces for boats, snowmobiles and ATVs.

Neither Eaton, nor Uquutaq’s outgoing executive director Laurel McCorriston had a construction timeline or estimated cost for the project.

Uquutaq is waiting to submit a response to an anticipated request for proposals from the City of Iqaluit when that process opens.

The parcel in question is part of the city’s consolidation plan for this area, approved by Iqaluit councillors last year.

As part of that plan, city planners grouped several smaller lots into three larger lots for denser housing.

The city used a competitive process to lease two of the lots to existing leaseholders for private development, but a parcel on the northeast side of the lot will open to a request for proposals for a not-for-profit housing development.

Parts of this area are undergoing an environmental assessment and re-survey, which are expected to be completed in November, said Geoff Byrne, a City of Iqaluit spokesperson.

Once those are done, the city will send out its request for proposals.

“In response to inquiries about potential bidders, the city has not engaged with any proponents to ensure fairness and competition,” Byrne said.

“All potential bidders, including Uquutaq, will have access to the same publicly available information. The city encourages participation from all qualified bidders, ensuring an inclusive process for both new and established organizations.”

Correction: This article has been updated from an earlier version to explain how the City of Iqaluit assembled lots as part of a plan to permit higher-density development in the area.