April 8 - New art gallery pitched

Good morning !

For several years now we've been bringing you updates on what's going on with the Capital Iron buildings and nearby lots. Today there's another update, and the plans for those lands are starting to take shape. More below, plus the details to know for the eclipse today.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 8

Tuesday: 🌧️ 12 / 4 

Wednesday: 🌤️ 12 / 3

7-day forecast

NEWS

New bigger art gallery planned in redevelopment of Capital Iron lands

Plans for the “Capital Cultural District” project in downtown's northern end are expected to come to Victoria council next week. The project from Reliance Properties, designed by D'ambrosio architecture studio, would redevelop the lands around Capital Iron, from the waterfront to Government.

The city is targeting this part of town, from just above Chinatown up to Rock Bay proper, for an “industry, arts, and innovation district.” Rifflandia festival recently relocated to the Matullia lands in that area.

Reliance CEO Jon Stovell told the Times Colonist that the land is underused and could gain up to 500 housing units, while the company plans to provide the art gallery and public plaza land as amenity contributions.

Plans laid out in architect’s video

That plaza and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria would be built on the current large parking lot, along with commercial and residential buildings. The waterfront walk would be extended up to Capital Iron, but would cut up to Store from there and leave the waterfront for marine-related industry.

Gallery seeks larger, tourist-friendly site

AGGV CEO Nancy Noble told CHEK that being a “bookend” of the harbour walk, opposite RBCM, would help the gallery with attendance. The larger building would let it showcase its full collection, which its home on Moss cannot.

Reliance bought the property in 2020

It was sold by the Greene family, who had started Capital Iron in 1934. Now under new ownership after closing in late 2022, the store is expected to stay in the new development.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Expect Johnson St. Bridge closures and test lifts all week (April 8-12, 9am-3pm) for routine inspections. [Info]

The total eclipse won’t be visible here, but there will be a partial one. Details here.

Do not look right at the sun between about 10:40am and 12:30pm (or in general).

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

7 farmers markets to look forward to this spring & summer

This weekend the Moss Street market moved back outside, moving the region into its Farmers Market season. Other markets will begin to crop up over the coming weeks and months, bringing Greater Victoria one of its quintessential weekend activities. 

Here are some of the most anticipated, with produce and baked goods and preserves and artisanal goods from all around Greater Victoria. See them at Tasting Victoria. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🌒 See the eclipse from afar by following the livestream of its path over Eastern Canada. [Weather Network]

🦎 Lizards for dinner are a favourite of this raven in Mill Hill. The invasive wall lizards were unleashed by a roadside zoo over 50 years ago.  

 📼 New record from Victoria band Sure has elements of slacker rock, pop punk, and Midwest emo. [Bandcamp]

🗳️ More than 3K have voted: Voting will be closing soon for the Tasting Victoria Awards. Make sure to have your say on the best restaurants. [Vote]

🤝 Now hiring: Pyrotechnician / Lighting and Scenic Technician at the Butchart Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

Langford donates its old fire truck to Malahat firefighters
The Westshore engine began service in 2004 but was set to enter reserve status with the purchase of a new truck. Rather than see its use drop, the city sent it up to help with Hwy 1 fire response (which was in need of a replacement truck). 

Island nurses flag concerns with drug use in hospitals
Some nurses say fumes are putting them at health risk. A recently leaked memo from Northern Health advised hospital staff not to confront patients or search belongings, but does state that smoking of all kinds should remain outdoors. [CHEK]

Vikes swept in Brown Cup rowing rivalry races
The head-to-head races vs. UBC from the Gorge to Inner Harbour just marked their 31st edition. But Saturday proved unlucky for both the women’s team (who have won every year since 2018) and the men (who haven’t won since 2018). [Vikes]

Netflix series looks at feet washing up on the Island and BC coast
A Files of the Unexplained episode covers the detached human feet—15 of them in about a decade—which experts say come from natural decay and the buoyancy of running shoes rather than foul play. [CHEK]

Victoria company acquired by LA’s ChowNow
Over the past decade Cuboh has offered online ordering and marketing tools for restaurants. More on this and other local tech / business news at Victoria Tech Journal.

Minimum wage is now $17.30 in federally regulated industries
Sectors getting the $0.65 bump include postal, transit, telecoms, and federal crown corps. April 1 also saw increases to several taxes and prices. BC’s overall minimum rises to $17.40 on June 1.

🗓️ Things to do

🎭 Incoming Festival, with new theatre shows from local and tourist artists, starts Thursday. [Info]

🌗 Solar eclipse party: At the Centre of the Universe / Dominion Observatory, there will be free viewing glasses for the local 28% eclipse and a stream of the full eclipse happening out east. 10am-1pm.

🎥 Killers of the Flower Moon at Cinecenta: The Oscar-nominated film about the crimes committed against the Osage Nation will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 6:30pm.

🗓 Get a big list of all the goings-on this week by subscribing to This Week In Vic.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Electric kick scooters now allowed on Victoria, Saanich, and Langford bike lanes and road. [Sunday newsletter]

Spring drinks: Local bevvies that suit the season. [Tasting Victoria]

Emerson the seal was relocated up-Island after getting too far into human areas [photos] in Saanich. DFO sent the Times Colonist a photo of his release.

Oak Bay Rec Centre will close from July 1 to Sept. 2 for repairs and upgrades. [Details]

CORRECTION: Yesterday’s reference to an explosive device should only have said “explosive materials,” the language used by RCMP. It’s unclear whether these materials were an item or a substance. 

That’s it!

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