NELSSON STAR Bre a k i ng n e w s at n e l s on s t a r. c om
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Friday, June 1 • 2012
Vol. 4 • Issue 96
Kaslo gets in on the Jumbo Resort opposition See Page 11 280 Baker Street Nelson BC (250)
354-4089
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OPEN YEAR ROUND
ICBC Stats Released
Crash map pinpoints dangerous intersections
Growing up in Sandon this week’s Pioneer Profile See Page 5
An ambitious fix Ward Street Place has provided a vital affordable housing solution to Nelson and changed lives in the process. Now the downtown apartment block has put together a revitalization plan that will take the building to a whole new level
SAM VAN SCHIE
Lessons • Retail
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20 Years! Anniversary Open House June 2
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Nelson Star Reporter
What’s Nelson’s most dangerous intersection? According to new interactive crash maps released on the ICBC website Wednesday, the intersection of Vernon and Ward streets saw 12 collisions last year and a block away, at Vernon and Stanley streets, there were 10 collisions. Just outside the city boundary, where Granite and Government roads meet Highway 6, there were 13 collisions in 2011. Including that intersection in the count, there were 144 crashes at Nelson intersections last year. Nelson Police Department Insp. Henry Paivarinta said police supply ICBC with crash statistics for all accidents where damages are greater than $1,000, which could include anything from a ding in the bumper to a totaled vehicle. “It doesn’t take much to get up to $1,000 in damages,” Paivarinta said. “Some of the accidents that get included in statistics are quite minor.” The ICBC map excludes incidents involving parked vehicles and those where locational information isn’t available. Story continues to ‘Distracted’ on Page 4
Klee Hunter, affordable housing manager for Nelson CARES society, stands in front of Ward Street Place. The society hopes to invest $2 million into revitalizing the 100-year-old building and expanding the number of affordable housing Sam Van Schie photo unit it offers. SAM VAN SCHIE Nelson Star Reporter
A $2 million revitalization of the Ward Street Place apartment block could get underway later this year, if the Nelson CARES society can secure affordable housing grants from BC Housing and Columbia Basin Trust. The project would add 12 new low cost rental units to the 100
Home Owners helping home owners
year old building at the corner of Ward and Victoria streets. It would also improve safety and energy efficiency in the 37 existing suites, while restoring the heritage facade of the building to improve the look of the streetscape. “Seeing the Kerr block burn down, less than 30 metres from Ward Street Place, it was really a wake up call,” CARES society
treasurer Ron Little said. “We need to protect this building and the people who rely on it for affordable rentals.” The CARES Society has applied for grants that could cover more than half the cost of the project. There’s also $400,000 in equity in building that can be Story continues to ‘I owe’ on Page 9