Proposed rental block in Inglewood raises concerns about loss of heritage buildings

Early plans for a new 85-unit rental apartment along Inglewood's main street are underway, but some residents are pushing back in a bid to save a pair of historical buildings that would be affected.

Dubbed The Isaac on 9th, the six-storey building is planned for the lots currently occupied by the Carston Block and Blyth Block on the 1300 block of Ninth Avenue S.W. in Inglewood — home to popular local businesses like the Dirty Duck Pub and the Blue Store.

The plan calls for 25 per cent of the units to be earmarked as 'affordable' under CMHC guidelines (costing less than 30 per cent of a household's income) and locked at that rate for 10 years, says Rich Mackett, who works on behalf of M2SC Realty. Corp — the development management company running the project, alongside Casola Koppe Architects.

"We're working with the CMHC guidelines, which require a certain number of the units to be rent controlled and that allows us to access that CMHC funding," said Mackett, who added that he realizes the units won't be affordable for everyone, even if they're defined as such under the guidelines.

The building will also include retail space on the ground level and one level of underground parking.

"That creates that sort of continuity with the existing retail on Ninth Ave. as well," said Mackett.

The team is currently working on a land use application to submit to the City of Calgary in the coming months. From there, Mackett says they'll plan and submit their development permit.

It's intended that the building would be ready for move-in by 2025.

Concerns about parking, shadowing, heritage

Mackett and the team held an open house about the proposed development at the Inglewood Community Association Hall on Monday night, where around a dozen residents turned out to ask questions and raise concerns about the project.

Some pointed to a lack of parking in the community, a potential increase in traffic and disruptions from construction.

Residents also brought forward concerns about the proposed development casting shadows on its neighbours, and impacts on nearby businesses.

Lifelong Inglewood resident Joshua Whitford says he believes in building affordable housing and focusing on density, but he worries that the community is losing important heritage buildings.

"I don't know why we're targeting these historical buildings," said Whitford. "It's sad because we're losing things that are part of our history … and once it's gone, it's never going to come back."

He says he's worried this will set a precedent for the entire block and Inglewood will lose its character.

"I'd like to see this development reconsidered entirely, either to change location or for there to be an opportunity to renovate the pre-existing structure that is there."

Mackett says the plan is to fully maintain the facade of the Carson Block, and that the team will continue to engage with residents and neighbours as the project moves forward.

No heritage protections

Josh Traptow, CEO of Heritage Calgary, says the buildings on Carson Block and Blyth Block are not legally protected under heritage designations.

Carson Block in particular, he says, has symbolic value for contributing to the historic status of Ninth Avenue.

"Overall the Carson Block is in very good shape. Many of its character-defining elements and historical integrity are still there," said Traptow.

He says he won't comment further at this early stage of planning, but he notes that any developments happening along Inglewood's main street should factor in scale, walkability and heritage.

Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, who represents Ward 9, says he's been in touch with developers about the importance of maintaining the sites' heritage value, and he's looking forward to where the conversation with the public goes.

"My 22-year in the making vision for Inglewood's historic main street is that in 100 years it will be a vibrant centre of our city's economy and culture comprised of 100-year-old heritage buildings, next to 200-year-old heritage buildings," said the statement.