City Collaborating with Housing Society on Redevelopment of Former Firehall Site

May 28, 2024

The City of Fernie is working with the Elk Valley Family Society (EVFS) to advance the redevelopment of the former Fernie Firehall site at 692 3rd Ave.

Council has endorsed EVFS to advance predevelopment works and funding applications for a mixed-use development onthe City-owned property that currently houses the now-vacant old firehall. While the new building is still in an early designphase, the proposed project would include commercial space on the ground floor and long-term rental residences above.It is anticipated the residential component of the building would include a variety of studio, one, and two-bedroom units designated from affordable to a mix of income levels.

“The City is very pleased to support the Elk Valley Family Society with advancing this much needed redevelopment of a key and under-utilized corner of downtown. Leveraging City-owned property to improve affordable housing availability and the diversity of housing types is a key facet of Council’s Strategic Plan,” says Mayor, Nic Milligan.

Since the relocation of Fernie Fire and Emergency Services to a temporary firehall location on Railway Ave. the building has been unoccupied, except as storage for off-season City fleet equipment. Activity is expected on the property in the coming weeks, as EVFS will be undertaking site assessments as part of their due diligence, including a geotechnical investigation requiring a small drilling rig.

If the site is determined developable and EVFS is successful in securing the required funding for the project, the City would support the project through a long-term lease of the land. The City’s Land Acquisition and Disposition Policy supports leveraging City-owned properties to advance affordable housing projects, and stipulates that the cost for any site remediation, including demolition of the old firehall would be paid by the developer.


An application to re-zone the site to allow for mixed-use development is expected to come before Council in June.