Waterloo buys property of local church for arts programs, affordable housing

The site of a former church in Waterloo has been purchased by the city with the hopes of using it for the local arts community and affordable housing.

Waterloo City Council this week approved the property purchase of the St. Columba Church at 250 Lincoln Rd., located at the corner of Lincoln Road and Mayfield Avenue. The purchase of the land will cost $2.9 million and will include the sale of the property, legal fees and future renovations.

The city said the site will be used as a city programming space for “up to three years” for local arts programming and community groups and then as affordable housing in the future.

Jen Vasic, the Ward 5 Councillor in Waterloo, said local arts space was needed in the community, but now they need to get into the specifics of it so they can “deliver.”

“Will it stay an arts and culture space? Maybe, but that time will tell and the public will be very much invited to participate in the process about the community space and housing component,” said Vasic.

The city called the 1.04 acre parcel of land an “excellent investment for the City,” noting that the space is in a ‘well established neighbourhood’ and has access to transit. Early estimates from the city show the land could accommodate 12 housing units at its current zoning, but could be up to 30 if it was changed.