The Town of Banff is proceeding with work to build The Aster, a price-restricted housing development in the heart of Banff. The new housing complex on Banff Avenue will create 33 dwellings for sale on a site where two large buildings and a few smaller structures will be removed. An historic cabin will be retained on the site.
“I am very pleased to see this project moving forward to help ensure more people who work in Banff can live in Banff,” said Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen.
“It’s always sad to see historic buildings come down in Banff, but most of the buildings on the site have completed their usable life and are making way for critically needed new homes for our residents. At the same time, we are retaining the small cabin on the site to celebrate our heritage.”
Work has started to remove hazardous material (asbestos) from the structures on the site, before the buildings are disassembled. Materials will be sorted to salvage as much as possible before removing waste materials.
Most of the trees on the property where The Aster housing complex will be built will be removed because they are within the footprint of the building or parkade that will be constructed, or because they could be a fire hazard or are at risk of falling in wind storms due to their age, structure and condition.
At least 2 large trees will be retained, including a large conifer at the front of the lot. A second tree on the north property line will be retained, and other trees may be retained if they are healthy and are outside the construction footprint.
After the construction is complete, the landscaping plan indicates about 15 new trees will be planted and more than 100 shrubs. The new plantings will use deciduous trees to reduce the fire risk on the site, as directed by the FireSmart program, and fruit-bearing trees that could attract wildlife will be avoided.
The sequence of this first phase of construction activity on the site is scheduled as follows:
- Hazardous material (asbestos) removal
- Building deconstruction, material separation for reuse or waste
- Tree removal
- Cabin to be retained relocation
- Shoring installation
- Excavation
Exact timing will depend on final approvals from the Parks Canada and municipal planning.
For more information, site plans and images on the new housing complex or dwellings can be purchased, visit AsterBanff.ca
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