Providence Village Inc. Engages Tim Welch Consulting to Conduct Feasibility Study and Partner Engagement for Potential Providence Commons Development

Kingston, ON, December 6, 2023Providence Village Inc. (PVI) is pleased to announce the successful bid of Tim Welch Consulting Inc. (TWC), with partner Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd. (SZA), for the Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at conducting a feasibility business case and engaging potential housing and community service providers and/or developers for the prospective Providence Commons project in Kingston, Ontario.

The Providence Commons project is a concept that is exploring the possibility of redeveloping the existing 220,000 square foot Providence Manor building located at 275 Sydenham Street into a community hub that will support the critical needs of affordable housing and community services for vulnerable populations in Kingston and surrounding area, with a specific focus on women and women-led households. PVI is advancing the feasibility work on behalf of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, the owners of the Providence Manor property. This possible project would align with the redevelopment and relocation of Providence Manor to its new home at Providence Village as the Sisters determine the future use of the property.

“We are delighted to engage Tim Welch Consulting and Shoalts and Zaback Architects in this essential business case evaluation as part of the next exploration and feasibility phase of the prospective Providence Commons project,” shared Laurie French, President & CEO, Providence Village Inc. “Their extensive experience, spanning from a local understanding of the site and design to a comprehensive grasp of available solutions and creative collaborations across Ontario, uniquely positions them to examine the feasibility of this ambitious project and engage with potential local partners to deliver their housing initiatives, programs and services”.

Following a thorough evaluation process, TWC, together with SZA, emerged as the ideal team to explore the feasibility of this transformative project and engage in partner and community engagement. TWC supports the creation of new affordable housing solutions across Ontario, from homelessness support to rental housing and affordable ownership housing. They have supported more than 35 affordable housing development projects reach the construction and completion stage, adding over 1,200 units of affordable housing throughout Ontario. Architecture partner SZA has built an extensive portfolio of public and private sector projects in Kingston throughout their 30-year history. They specialize in providing feasibility studies and have extensive expertise in adaptive re-use and additions to heritage structures.

The consulting team will explore and present positive and financially viable solutions for creating a prospective community hub at Providence Commons. Additionally, they will engage in strategic community engagement over the next few months and seek out potential partnership arrangements with a mix of not-for-profit agencies, community groups and/or private sector organizations focused on housing and community services in the Kingston area. They will subsequently develop a feasibility assessment business case that aligns with the Sisters’ vision and mission for Providence Commons – for it to provide a safe, life-giving dwelling place with community programs that meet the needs of vulnerable populations in downtown Kingston. Their findings and insights will ultimately inform the next steps in the project.

“TWC, in collaboration with SZA, is thrilled to be working with Providence Village Inc. on this exciting and important initiative to create a viable solution to allow the existing Providence Manor building and resources to continue to serve the community for decades to come,” added Tim Welch, Principal, TWC.

PVI looks forward to the valuable insights and recommendations that will arise from TWC’s expert analysis and community partner engagement. Upon the successful completion of TWC’s feasibility study, PVI will deliver an informed recommendation to the Sisters regarding the suggested future use of their property at 275 Sydenham Street based on the findings and conclusions presented in the report.

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About Providence Village Inc.
Providence Village Inc. (PVI) is a dynamic community hub development located at 1200 Princess Street in Kingston, Ontario, aimed at providing housing, health and social services to support, empower and uplift vulnerable populations throughout the region. PVI is an independent not-for-profit charitable organization sponsored by the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario (CHSO). PVI was founded by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul and is committed to upholding the values and legacy of the Sisters, while fostering positive social change.

providencevillage.ca
facebook.com/PVIVillage
@PVI_Village

About Tim Welch Consulting Inc.
As industry experts, the team at Tim Welch Consulting (TWC) can assist its clients in delivering housing that is accessible and affordable to their communities’ core families and workforce. TWC’s experience in formulating new housing ideas and solutions allows communities to grow dynamic neighbourhoods with quality homes for citizens who seek secure affordable rental and ownership housing options.

Staff and associate consultants of the firm possess in-depth knowledge of affordable housing development, housing policy and policy development, housing program administration and affordable homeownership development.

TWC’s expertise in housing programs, positive relationships with local governments and stewarding successful relations with both not-for-profit and for profit sectors has given TWC the respected reputation as A Housing Consulting Firm that Works.

Operating out of Cambridge, Ontario since 2003, TWC was incorporated in 2007.

www.twcinc.ca

About Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd.
Established in 1990, Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd. has now grown into a dynamic group of architects, interior designers, technologists, intern architects, and support staff. Today, they take on projects across all types and scales, from small renovations and accessibility upgrades to multi-million-dollar new builds.

SZA are particularly well-known for their projects that include adaptive reuse and compatible additions to heritage structures. Many of these projects include housing and community facilities.

Since 1990, SZA has won 70 awards for design excellence, including 7 Ontario Library Association Design Awards, a Toronto Urban Design Award and a Governor General’s Award.

www.szarch.com

Media Relations
Cory Angeletti-Szasz
Communications Consultant, PVI
cory.angeletti-szasz@providence.ca
647-273-2795