Constructing a 24-unit development in the city’s north end is a large project in itself, but it’s only the start of what organizers have in mind.
Their goal is to create a “village” unto itself … one where neighbours know one another, share their talents, collectively craft and create, and help each other out in many ways. Along the way they’ll find financial savings, lessen their environmental impact and build an inclusive, welcoming community for all.
“It’s a response to the isolation and alienation you find in communities, especially big apartment buildings,” said co-owner Mike Fortin. “Often, people who live in subdivisions and in condos, they are quite isolated and they don’t know their neighbours apart from waving.”
“It’s probably the biggest thing any of us have undertaken,” added fellow co-owner Al Parrish, noting construction is likely to take two or three years to complete. “Then we have the rest of our lives to live in it.”
Grass Routes Cohousing is a planned redevelopment of four properties along Speedvale Avenue East, on the southwestern corner with Delhi Street.
The project’s construction was approved by city council in February. Three of the four existing single family homes are to be demolished and replaced with a 3.5-storey tall apartment building with 21 units. A fourth existing home is to be converted into a triplex.
It’s also expected to include a variety of technologies and building techniques intended to reduce its impact on the environment, going “beyond net-zero” with heat pumps, solar panels, upgraded insulation, parking spaces designed for electric vehicles and more.
“For me, that’s a huge part of that community, not only a community of human beings but a community of living more sustainably with the planet,” co-owner Debbie Samson said. “I think it’s going to be one of the most environmentally friendly structures of its kind.”
In addition to the individual units, the project is to include a variety of shared spaces such as vegetable gardens, a music studio and art space, as well as a commercial-grade kitchen.
“We’re looking for a lot of common space,” said Parrish, noting structures will be built in such a way that it encourages residents to interact with one another. “We’re looking for ways of making interaction sort of automatic.”
It’ll still be a few years before the physical project is ready for residents to move in, as shovels aren’t yet in the ground. However, efforts to build a sense of community have already begun.
People who have signed on to buy units gather regularly for social events and activities, with prospective participants encouraged to join in. For instance, this past Saturday they got together for a canoe ride down the Speed River, followed by ice cream.
“At least once a month we try to do something together so that we’re getting to know each other and getting to know the people you’re going to be living with,” said co-owner Karen Reid. “I think it’s really important that we’re building community now.”
“We’re growing in our diversity and we value that,” added co-owner Judy Cantwell. “We value inclusion and we know that we have to learn from people who may not already be part of the group that we want to get to know – newcomers and anybody from a marginalized community, they would find a home here.”
Monthly information sessions have been held and are planned into the future for any prospective residents to learn more about the project and get to know others who are already involved or thinking of joining in.
So far, six of the 24 units are accounted for.
“What we’re looking for is people to join the process,” Parrish said of designing the site and other aspects of the project by participating in social gatherings and attending more formal meetings. “People get to know us, get to know how we run our group … which makes decisions that are within everyone’s range of tolerance but everyone is heard so that decisions aren’t just pushed through by a majority or part of the group.”
The financial savings aspect will come from the fact residents can purchase food and other goods in bulk, as well as potentially shared vehicles, equipment and appliances.
“If we’re able to accomplish this, it can be an example for others,” said co-owner Mark Gedcke.
“This is really important for people to see what can happen in a city … and how native plants are much more important for you than non-native plants,” co-owner Vicki Beard said of planned gardens, natural spaces and trees.
This will be the city’s second co-housing initiative.
The first, known as Watershed Cohousing Community, hosted a grand opening this past June. It features a three-storey, six-unit retrofitted and expanded century home on the corner of Woolwich and Mont streets, near Exhibition Park.
Much like the Grass Routes plan, Watershed is made up of individual units with a variety of shared spaces.
