An Urban Twist in Fernie

by KEITH LIGGETT

A quiet revolution runs under the surface in Fernie today. In most Alberta and B.C. cities, the bulk of new development come as single-family detached homes spreading like spilt oil from the city’s core into suburbs. Calgary, Kelowna, even Pincher Creek just to the west of us, typify this development. Traditionally ski town developments are either detached single-family homes for both residents and second homeowners or condos primarily designed for short-term visitors. Condos of the condo-hotel sort of genre. In Fernie development recently expanded to include the redevelopment of existing properties in the Historic Downtown into residential loft style residences primarily for long-term visitors and residents. We’re starting a mini-urban revolution in our little rural corner of B.C.

A quiet revolution runs under the surface in Fernie today. In most Alberta and B.C. cities, the bulk of new development come as single-family detached homes spreading like spilt oil from the city’s core into suburbs. Calgary, Kelowna, even Pincher Creek just to the west of us, typify this development. Traditionally ski town developments are either detached single-family homes for both residents and second homeowners or condos primarily designed for short-term visitors. Condos of the condo-hotel sort of genre. In Fernie development recently expanded to include the redevelopment of existing properties in the Historic Downtown into residential loft style residences primarily for long-term visitors and residents. We’re starting a mini-urban revolution in our little rural corner of B.C.

In the late 90’s, the first notable baby step in the revolution was the renovation of Morgan Manor. Directly across from the Northern Hotel on Victoria Ave., Morgan Manor took a formerly run down apartment complex and redeveloped it into a cluster of eight loft style homes. Retaining the high ceilings, large windows provide striking views of the mountains and the busy downtown of Fernie.

My first experience with Morgan Manor came a couple of winters ago. Friends from Seattle bought one of the units. They only spend six months a year in Canada, most of these months in winter. They hosted casual after ski parties. A couple of music evenings. Lots of wine in a comfortable “at-home” downtown experience. This last summer after hearing tales from those of us residing year-round, they learned of Fernie summers. Again after hiking, riding or fishing, we’d return to their central hub of a home. Morgan Manor is perfect. And when they leave, they walk out the door, let it close behind them and worry not.

At the same time, other individuals bought downtown buildings and restored the original residential units on the upper floors while maintaining the traditional retail at street level on Victoria Avenue.

The Fernie Official Community Plan embraces in-fill development of property in the downtown core, old Fernie and the Annex to maximum density. Terry Nelson is in the final stages of assessing the potential units in the old town Fernie and the Annex taking into account the possibility of subdividing current larger lots and putting residential units in industrial or other underutilized land.

A critical component of in-fill planning encourages the conversion of existing buildings to rental or full time ownership residential units. An example would be the redevelopment above Curves in the Annex. As I understand the project, this will add eight newly constructed apartments designed to be rented to local residents.

Perhaps the most notable development of this sort is the redevelopment of the original Fernie Secondary School into 901 Fernie - 44 urban loft-style condos. After hiring the LeBlond Partnership, an award-winning Calgary architectural group, the 901 Fernie project took off. The units remain true to the character of the original building while presenting a modern esthetically clean and striking look. Unlike so many developments of this sort, the retention and exposing of the wood in the ceilings creates a warmth rarely found in urban lofts. The exposed beams, use of recycled wood, use of stone, and retention of the look and feel of the high school in the overall development of the project as integral to the “whole” combine to make these premium, sought after units.

There are distinct advantages to urban development in Fernie’s historic core. The first is the close access to resident services. Banks, grocery stores, the hardware store and drug store all lay only steps away from your front door. Walk down the stairs, turn left or right and everything is there.

Fernie is lucky this way. In the last 20 years, many small towns lost their neighborhoods and downtown business to big boxes situated on the main highway. While we have Extra Foods and Canadian Tire along Highway 3, we have retained BRT, IGS and Overwaitea among others in the core. It is an interesting reflection of the strength of our downtown that none of the banks have moved to the highway. The East Kootenay Community Credit Union is the only bank on the highway and their expansion into Fernie and new building were built at the same time as much of the development on the north end of town at Ghostrider Crossing. Their addition resulted directly from a larger commercial expansion based on perceived need.

The second advantage to in-fill development is the efficient use of existing city services. 901 Fernie, the apartments above the Curves building, and the restoration of residential units in the historic core all plug right into current city services. Sewer extensions or additional new streets are not necessary. The new residents often walk, so traffic becomes more vibrant and not grid locked with SUV’s angling for the last open space on the block, right in front of Freshies.

As we grow, we need to preserve and conserve. In-fill and better utilization of current core city lands will be critical in keeping our community character intact. People walking are more in touch and involved with the community than people driving through town with their windows up and the heater or AC blasting. It makes sense that the more people we can pull out of cars and put on the streets the stronger our community will be. And if those people live in the core part of town, we’ll be even stronger.

For more information on modern mountain town planning ideas and the concept of “in-fill” visit the following sites:

www.smartgrowth.bc.ca
www.mountaintownplanners.com