Mackenzie Village is readying for local businesses to find a home in the retail spaces available in phase two and three, while looking forward to the completion of phase four. Elevator towers, utility groundwork and infill prep has already started in the latest development of the growing neighborhood in Revelstoke.
Local economic impact
Mackenzie Village’s developer David Evans told Revelstoke Mountaineer the whole site is a hub that’s providing over 200 jobs at the moment, as work throughout phase two, three and four continue along with the preparation for future road work and access trails. Some workers on site have relocated temporarily to the area, but Evans said company living allowances gives visiting workers a chance to explore Revelstoke’s amenities and businesses.
“That’s $35,000 to $40,000 a day during peak seasons that goes right back into the local economy – the hotels, motels, bars, groceries and that sort,” Evans said.
Mackenzie Village has also provided job opportunities for those in town, with Evans estimating 40 per cent of the current workforce are local.
Residents of Mackenzie Village, whether there for ribbon cutting day or freshly moved in, are mixed in with numerous site workers who pour concrete for the phase four development or finish up wiring for the retail spaces available.
“Little Spoon, they’re moving in and getting excited to open,” Evans said during a tour of the latest updates at Mackenzie Village. “Ray of Sunshine Daycare, Jo (Joanne Gawler) is down there now working in the space to get that ready.”
Concerns were brought up during a Nov. 14 council meeting discussing the maximum retail space allowed within Mackenzie Village’s development, but Evans is sure Revelstoke’s current trajectory will mean more than enough interest for all stores and restaurants in town.
“Downtown is full. There’s such little space available for new businesses, for business growth. And those businesses downtown are staples, they have their reputation and fans. We’re providing space for others to join in.”
Locally affordable?
Mackenzie Village has been criticized for being priced outside of the budget of many locals, seeming to counter initial impressions that the area would include accessible housing.
Development in the area has not strayed from the 2016 rezoning and proposals, Paul Simon, Revelstoke’s senior planner told Revelstoke Mountaineer when asked to clarify project confusion. Simon joined Revelstoke staff after the 2016 rezoning, but he explained that previous documentation does still line up with the current development.
“For me as a planner, what I’m really concerned about is the actual bylaw that spells out the rules of what they can and cannot do within that zone and what restrictions are applied to them,” Simon said. Mackenzie Village was zoned within a comprehensive development zone, one of six in Revelstoke that allows variances such as whole units operating as short-term rentals.
Simon acknowledged that a Mackenzie style project might not get the same zoning and allowances in the near future, noting that staffing changes and new direction from city council since Mackenzie Village was approved has changed housing goals.
“There would definitely be a heavier lens of affordability applied to it and secured through legal abilities and legal tools,” Simon said.
Evans explained the opportunities in Mackenzie allows for a longer term easing of the housing crunch in Revelstoke. He sees Mackenzie in part allowing for vacation home spaces for those seeking out Revelstoke for the winter or summer.
According to Evans, the reality is those with extra financial resources are eying up Revelstoke’s plethora of outdoor activities and would prefer a place where they can come and go for the seasons and not worry about general property maintenance.
“We provide that option and they don’t use up housing in town that locals want to use, want to care for and keep up for that core heritage.”
A population boom mixed with rising visitor numbers again points to a reality where there’s more than enough resources to go around, Evans argued. Restaurants his family and friends have come to love are facing increased wait times and demand, he claimed. Bringing more restaurants, shops and opportunities to the overall Revelstoke market will ease the overwhelm and keep guests coming back to all of Revelstoke for more.
Connecting Mackenzie Village to Revelstoke
Concern that Mackenzie Village might add to the dividing of in-town from the resort had Evans eagerly explaining how the Camozzi Road trailhead development will help connect the newer areas of Revelstoke to its beloved downtown.
“Kids on skateboards, kids on bikes, moms and dads with strollers. That connectivity is going to be huge. It’s going to change the, no pun intended, landscape here dramatically.”
It’s also a green space and recreational resource he’s excited to see residents from Mackenzie Village and the rest of Revelstoke take advantage of. Whether using it to walk and bike downtown or coming up to enjoy the green spaces that will connect with the Revelstoke Cabot golf course under development.
With the Selkirks phase of development 64 per cent sold and a coworking space, art gallery, grocery store and more planning to move into the available retail spaces, the growth of Mackenzie Village as an added hub to the landscape of Revelstoke is Evans’s primary goal. He’s sure the development will contribute more to Revelstoke than some fear it might take away.
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