Alternative Housing at Bechtel
Welcome to the Bechtel EngageWR page! Thank you for your interest in this innovative affordable housing project planned for the Bechtel community in Cambridge.
The project slated for 127-161 Bechtel will be the first in Cambridge to house smaller, more energy-efficient and cost-effective affordable homes.
Visit and subscribe to this page to receive project updates and for opportunities to give feedback. Your involvement will ensure these homes are designed in a way that fits well in your community’s space.
The Region will start working on this project in August, asking builders to propose different types of alternative housing. Options include tiny homes, container homes, or modular homes with one or more bedrooms. See the "Key Dates" section for more details on the process.
We will look to you for feedback on things like green space, green building features, and design features. Ensuring that we develop this space in a way that works for the whole Bechtel community is really important.
This project will make a huge difference in the lives of many people waiting for an affordable home. It is urgently needed and is supported by the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo.
We look forward to working with you on this exciting development.
Welcome to the Bechtel EngageWR page! Thank you for your interest in this innovative affordable housing project planned for the Bechtel community in Cambridge.
The project slated for 127-161 Bechtel will be the first in Cambridge to house smaller, more energy-efficient and cost-effective affordable homes.
Visit and subscribe to this page to receive project updates and for opportunities to give feedback. Your involvement will ensure these homes are designed in a way that fits well in your community’s space.
The Region will start working on this project in August, asking builders to propose different types of alternative housing. Options include tiny homes, container homes, or modular homes with one or more bedrooms. See the "Key Dates" section for more details on the process.
We will look to you for feedback on things like green space, green building features, and design features. Ensuring that we develop this space in a way that works for the whole Bechtel community is really important.
This project will make a huge difference in the lives of many people waiting for an affordable home. It is urgently needed and is supported by the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo.
We look forward to working with you on this exciting development.
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On-site soil and rock testing on January 19
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link18 Jan 2021DST Consulting Engineers Inc. will be on site at the Bechtel property on January 19th, 2021 from 8:00am-5:30pm, weather dependent. They will be testing the soil and rock conditions underground. This work will help determine the type of foundation and paving materials needed for the new six-unit housing complex. The work will be performed by a drill rig that will complete small test holes in various, preplanned locations.
The work will be slightly noisy and the contractor will require access to the parking lot during this time.
Tenants of the building will receive notices directly from Region of Waterloo Facilities and WRH with additional information and instructions for parking relocations.
Region of Waterloo Project Coordinator, Nolan Smith, will be on site at the beginning of the day to ensure the consultant has everything they need to complete the scope of work.
If you have any questions about this work please send an email to: Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400 ext 3443.
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Meet the Developer
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link09 Dec 2020Meet the Developer
The alternative housing coming to 127 – 161 Bechtel Street now has a developer, and you’re invited you to learn how these new homes will be built in your community. We’re looking forward to hearing your feedback and questions around how these new homes will enhance your neighbourhood and the broader community.
We are hosting two virtual neighbourhood meetings so that the developer, NOW Housing, can showcase their ideas for the property. During this meeting, there will be an opportunity for you to provide feedback on things like building design and greenspace.
If you would like to attend one or both of the virtual neighborhood meetings, please register at the link(s) below for the meeting(s) you wish to attend. After you give register, you will be sent the zoom link to the meeting by email.
Monday Dec 21 from 10-11am Register here
Monday Dec 21 from 7-8 pm Register here
If you would like to participate in the on-line meetings but do not have access to a computer, please call 519-575-4400 ext. 3443 and leave a message. We will call you back with a way to join by phone. If you require other accommodations to attend this meeting, please email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca or call the number above and leave a message.
A recording of the presentation will be made available on this page after the meeting. In addition, the community will have another opportunity to provide input on the ideas for the property through a survey that will be posted after the meetings.
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A developer team is recommended
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link10 Nov 2020The Bechtel Alternative Housing Project in Cambridge has a proposed developer.
The project’s evaluation team is recommending that Now Housing and Masters of Building Assembly supply and install the units planned for 127-161 Bechtel St.
The recommendation will go to Council for discussion on November 17th and a decision on November 25th.
The report with the recommendation will be posted on the Region’s website today by 4:30 p.m. as part of the agenda for the November 17th meeting. The report itself will be posted on this Engage page in the Key Document section as of November 11th.
You can view the meetings on YouTube and register to speak through the clerk’s office.
If approved, next steps will include the developer gathering input from the community on the design of the alternative housing.
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Council Approval Date Changes
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link23 Oct 2020The call for development proposals for alternative housing at Bechtel closed October 7th. A team of staff from relevant departments, including housing and finance, are evaluating the proposals according to the design guidelines approved by Council and informed by community input. The guidelines require developers to consider:
- Where the new units will be located in proximity to the existing buildings;
- How the new units will blend with the existing buildings; and
- How landscaping and community spaces will be incorporated.
The proposal that best meets these guidelines will go to Committee of the Whole on November 17th and Regional Council on November 25th for final approval.
The developer will gather design input from the Bechtel community in December and/or January.
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The Expression of Interest has been posted
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link27 Aug 2020The Region of Waterloo is now accepting expressions of interest for the development of 127-161 Bechtel Drive. Developers will incorporate feedback from the community into their submissions for alternative housing. The deadline to submit an expression of interest is October 7th. View the Expression of Interest document here.
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Preliminary Design Feedback and Next Steps
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link11 Aug 2020The feedback we received from you through email and the Town Hall meetings on the design of the Bechtel Alternative housing is now posted on this Engage page in the "Documents for Download" section. This feedback, along with best practices for urban design, has been incorporated in the proposed design guidelines (pg. 123 of the Committee Agenda) that will be presented to the Community Services Committee (CSC) on August 11th. If approved at CSC, they will go to Regional Council for final approval August 20th.
You can continue to call the Bechtel line (519-575-4400 x3443) or email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca if you have other feedback or questions.
The developer for this project will be chosen in early November. They will be required to share the drawings of their proposed concepts for the site with the community. We will provide an opportunity through Engage for you to provide feedback on the concepts before moving forward to ensure that your concerns are addressed.
Timeline
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Initial communication with community June 17, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Town Hall Meetings June 25 and 26, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Report to Regional Council July 15, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Design Guidelines and Communication Strategy August 11 and 20, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Release of Expression of Interest August 24, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Expression of Interest closes October 7, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel has finished this stage -
Developer recommended to Committee and Council November 17 and November 25, 2020
Alternative Housing at Bechtel is currently at this stage -
Tenant Meet the Developer and Input Meetings on Dec 16 and Dec 17
this is an upcoming stage for Alternative Housing at Bechtel -
Neighborhood Meet the Developer and Input Meetings on Dec 21
this is an upcoming stage for Alternative Housing at Bechtel
Follow Project
FAQs
- 1. What is alternative housing?
- 2. What is a tiny home?
- 3. Are these types of homes the same as “A Better Tent City” at LOT42 in Kitchener?
- 4. What can be built on the Bechtel property?
- 5. Will we lose parking?
- 6. What will be done to provide greenspace? The current space is the only shaded greenspace on the property.
- 7. How do I reserve one of the units?
- 8. Who will live in these alternative housing units?
- 9. Why add more units when the ones we currently have on site are not well cared for?
- 10. Why did we not get to decide if this is the right neighbourhood for these units?
- 11. Will this development result in the loss of property values?
- 12. Will this development result in an increase in crime in my neighbourhood?
Documents
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FAQ for the December 2020 Bechtel Street Tenant and Neighbourhood Meetings.PDF (24.9 KB) (PDF)
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Committee Report to Recommend Developer Team - Nov 17th.pdf (128 KB) (pdf)
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Bechtel_Alternative_Housing_EOI_Addendum_2_.pdf (211 KB) (pdf)
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Bechtel_Alternative_Housing_EOI_Addendum_1.pdf (193 KB) (pdf)
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Pre-bid Meeting Presentation.pdf (1.13 MB) (pdf)
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Bechtel Alternative Housing Expression of Interest Template (668 KB) (pdf)
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Bechtel Servicing Feasibility Study (16.1 MB) (PDF)
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Bechtel Design Guidelines and Communication Plan.pdf (445 KB) (pdf)
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Summary_of_Bechtel_Comments.pdf (439 KB) (pdf)
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Town Hall Presentation June 25 and 26.pdf (1.02 MB) (pdf)
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10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan
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Bechtel flyer.pdf (527 KB) (pdf)
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-575-4400 x3443 Email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca -
Phone 519-575-4400 x3443 Email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca -
Phone 519-575-4400 x3443 Email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca -
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Phone 519-575-4400 x3443 Email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca -
Phone 519-575-4400 x3443 Email Bechtel@regionofwaterloo.ca
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