CBU development group issues tenders to build housing at Tartan Downs
CBC
Cape Breton University's development arm has issued tenders and expects to start building housing soon at the former Tartan Downs horse-racing track in Sydney, N.S., but the project is putting $2.1 million of the university's operating budget in danger.
Officials say the project has been in the works for six years and it's time the community had affordable housing options.
The plan is to build two apartment buildings and four townhouses totalling 146 new housing units. The work would start in this construction season.
"Oh, it's a big-time build," said Kent MacIntyre, president of the university's Urban Neighborhood Development Association.
"Between ourselves and the folks at the city, we're both pretty excited about having that being dropped in the centre of Sydney."
MacIntyre said the housing will offer the public a mix of affordable and market units, with a small portion set aside for students.
CBU bought the land six years ago, with the provincial government eventually committing $5 million and the federal government contributing $5.4 million through the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
The university initially announced big plans to eventually build 430 housing units in phases on the 9.7-hectare property.
On Wednesday, MacIntyre declined to provide many details on the first phase, saying those would be released once a further federal funding announcement is made.
"Once we've hit the button on the final approvals, we'll do a major announcement complete with the latest drawings," he said.
"I don't want to steal any thunder from our funders. They would want to be able to show the public what's going to be built on the site."
MacIntyre said environmental analysis and engineering studies have slowed the project, but he is confident it will go ahead this year shortly after tenders close in April.
"We knew when we started it would take some time," he said. "It just took a little longer than we anticipated."
The former racetrack is in Sydney's Ashby residential neighbourhood, which is represented by Deputy Mayor Glenn Paruch.
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