Blatchford

In a Blatchford update to council, it was reported that 150 homes were built or under construction during the past year (400 overall since construcruon began). The 90 rentals at Pilot account for most of the past year's total.

Along with the 1 apartment under construction now, another 5 are anticipated to begin in 2026 (will have to check back a year from now to see how accurate that was).

Hopefully a big year ahead!
 
TAS said:
In a Blatchford update to council, it was reported that 150 homes were built or under construction during the past year (400 overall since construcruon began). The 90 rentals at Pilot account for most of the past year's total.

Along with the 1 apartment under construction now, another 5 are anticipated to begin in 2026 (will have to check back a year from now to see how accurate that was).

Hopefully a big year ahead!
Click to expand...
I am excited for these apartments to get going, but my money would be on only 2-3 more starting in 2026. Still great progress though!
 
policyenthusiast said:
How do you figure? Changes to the demand forecast, changes to MLI Select, or something else?
Click to expand...
Based on past forecasts of projects provided to council regarding Blatchford. I hope I am wrong, but the predictions have consistently been rosier than the reality. But 2-3 more apartments (on top of the current one) still means a few hundred units, which is great! If we get 5 new starts, we're really cooking with... induction? (Sorry, bad Blatchford joke)
 
Council voiced several concerns with the ongoing financial shortfall and cash infusion required for the Blatchford utility on an annual basis.

The city has no option though (at least none were presented) to keep funding the expected ongoing shortfall for years to come.

I don't full understand what's going on here to explain the ongoing loss.
 
TAS said:
I don't full understand what's going on here to explain the ongoing loss.
Click to expand...
Basically, policies passed by council when Blatchford was started require that its utility customers pay no more than what other utility customers in the city pay. Because utility rates dropped following the consumer carbon tax's demise, the Blatchford utility must lower its rates as well, per that policy. This increases the amount of capital infusion they will need, which the business case planned would come from other levels of government instead of the city. However, they have only gotten ~$25 million from the feds, out of a total need for ~$69 million (before the carbon tax was removed). They needed council approval to freeze the rates where they are, rather than lower them as that council policy would have made them, so that they have time for a consultant to help them determine the new fiscal reality and chart a new path forward.
 
I think all of the piles at the EcoDen site are in the ground; last night the pile driver was parked on the road.
20251202_171737.jpg
 
CplKlinger said:
Basically, policies passed by council when Blatchford was started require that its utility customers pay no more than what other utility customers in the city pay. Because utility rates dropped following the consumer carbon tax's demise, the Blatchford utility must lower its rates as well, per that policy. This increases the amount of capital infusion they will need, which the business case planned would come from other levels of government instead of the city. However, they have only gotten ~$25 million from the feds, out of a total need for ~$69 million (before the carbon tax was removed). They needed council approval to freeze the rates where they are, rather than lower them as that council policy would have made them, so that they have time for a consultant to help them determine the new fiscal reality and chart a new path forward.
Click to expand...
Is this something where additional users/development on the utility will help with the rates (e g. from economies of scale)? Or is this something where potentially the future expansions of the utility may end up getting canned in the future if it continues to be a loss generator?
 
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top