Events, eats, and the end of summer vibes 🍻

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Major work planned for Grafton Street

➡️ Another large housing proposal

➡️ Kiwanis Club recognized by city

QUICK HITS (POLICE)

🚓 RCMP detachment damaged: Montague RCMP had a front-row seat to a rather unusual incident Tuesday afternoon. A 32-year-old man caused significant damage when he used his truck as a battering ram on a building at the RCMP’s detachment. Officers swiftly arrested him in their parking lot without issue. The building, which police say was rammed intentionally three times, was damaged from its concrete footing to the soffit, and will need to be rebuilt. Charges for property damage are anticipated, with the man scheduled to appear in provincial court Wednesday. No one was injured.

👮 Charged with assault: A 62-year-old Charlottetown man who shoved a government cabinet minister during a public meeting last month has been charged with assault. Video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, shows a man catching Housing Minister Rob Lantz off guard with a shove to the left shoulder. Swiftly, social media platforms buzzed with a collective demand for the man to face charges. Lantz, who somehow maintained his composure, was not injured.

ROAD WORK

Major work planned for Grafton Street

Commuters who use Grafton Street will need an extra dose of patience as the city moves forward on a plan to overhaul the road network near Hillsborough Bridge. Work is expected to begin next month on a project to completely rebuild Grafton Street, including underground utilities, from Holland College to Riverside Drive. The project, which is now out to tender, was listed in the 2023-24 capital budget with a price tag of $5.25M. A timeline in the tender package anticipates work continuing into next June.

🤬 Ugh, why? Rebuilding Grafton Street is the first phase of a plan to realign Water Street to a new four-way intersection at the entrance to Holland College’s parking lot, which sits next to Joe Ghiz Memorial Park. This realignment will eventually see Water Street Parkway removed, including its direct access to the bridge, to connect the under-utilized event grounds to a new public beach. This is all part of the now 12-year-old Eastern Gateway plan.

DEVELOPMENT

Another large housing project pitched for West Royalty

This map shows four separate developments georeferenced into a single map with shapes showing proposed buildings, shaded by number of floors. Island Edition map.

A fourth large housing development proposed for West Royalty could soon be heading to a public meeting. Flourish Development Group is seeking a development concept plan to build more than 250 housing units on an eight-acre parcel of land between Canadian Tire and Mount Edward Road. If the development is eventually approved, it would consist of a mixture of stacked townhouses and apartment buildings, ranging in height from 2.5 to 6 floors, and would be built in two phases over five years (PDF 1.7mb). 

The proposal went before Charlottetown’s planning board Tuesday. While some members had initial hesitations, the board voted unanimously to recommend that council send the concept plan to a public meeting. Some members felt not enough information was available to fully answer potential questions about a proposed north / south collector road that will eventually connect Spencer Drive to St. Martha’s Court.

If this development is triggering déjà vu, you're far from alone. Just last month, a public meeting discussed a concept plan for a large housing project situated immediately north of the current proposal.

During Tuesday’s planning board meeting, a member highlighted the fact that this development is just one of several in the area. They inquired about the total number of units planned among all the proposals but didn't receive a response. Fortunately for readers of Island Edition, I took it upon myself to uncover that information during my day off on Monday. I even made a map!

Sherwood Crossing - APM Commercial (2020)

🏗️ Apartment Units: 314 units

🏘️ Townhouse Units: 36 - 48

St. Martha’s Court - Dunn Group / Evolve Group (2021/2023)

🏗️ Apartment Units: 136 units

🏘️Townhouse Units: unknown

Mount Edward #1 - RYCH Investments (2022)

🏗️ Apartment Units: 438

🏘️Townhouse Units: 26

Mount Edward #2 - Flourish Group (2023)

🏗️ Apartment Units: 217

🏘️Townhouse Units: 36

Total Units: 1,203 - 1,215

🏗️ Apartment Units: 1,105

🏘️Townhouse Units: 98 - 110

Copy to share the story:

https://islandedition.ca/read/whats-planned-for-the-land-behind-the-mall

📢 SHOUT-OUTS 

🏆 To the members of the Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown for receiving the City of Charlottetown’s Citizen Recognition Award last week, presented by Mayor Philip Brown.

🥫 To the volunteers and countless community members who keep the Charlottetown Community Fridge stocked up for those in need. A bittersweet celebration was held Sunday marking the two-year anniversary since the community fridge was established.

Want to recognize someone for their accomplishment, dedication to community, or for just being awesome? Send me a message.

#PEIslandEdition

Time to Bale... 🚜

Apurva Patel shared a few photos from a freshly baled field near Point Prim. Apurva's Instagram page is one I share often. He recently rebranded from ExploringPEI to @apxplores so he can use his talent outside of PEI. Lucky for us, he has spent his summer here at home; his profile is filled with many great PEI summer photos.

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

📃 The public is invited to take a look at what the PEI Housing Corporation has planned for an 85-acre parcel of land in Hillsborough Park. A meeting will be held at the Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean (5 Acadian Drive, Charlottetown) tomorrow, Thursday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. Concept drawings will be available for viewing.

🧺 A delightful picnic hosted by the non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the iconic Annandale Lighthouse, PEI's tallest range, takes place this Friday, August 11, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Feel free to bring your own picnic, or indulge in complimentary BBQ, tea, coffee and cake. Step inside the historic Annandale Lighthouse, leave your mark by adding your name to the wall, express your creativity by painting rocks, or partake in a scavenger hunt. All ages are welcome to join in the fun!

🎉 Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Green Park Shipbuilding Museum and Yeo House this Saturday, August 12. A one-time admission price of $3 + HST will be available at the entrance. The day will be brimming with exciting activities, including an engaging "History of Tea Talk," interactive games, captivating craft fairs, and much more. Don't miss out on the celebration!

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

⛈️ H 21°C 🌡️ L 16°C 
💨 SE 40 km/h, gusting 60

Thursday

🌦️ H 21°C 🌡️ L 16°C
💨 W 20 km/h, gusting 40

Looking Ahead

👀 Periods of heavy rain and chance of thunderstorms today (Wednesday) in areas.

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