City corner undergoing transformation

There are some big changes occurring around a booming Charlottetown bike shop.

And it appears there may be more to come.

With the city demolishing a home next to MacQueen’s Bike Shop earlier this month, the business has also taken down a neighbouring building it owned at 428 Queen St.

“We’ll definitely use some of that for parking, our bike shop has never been busier… This is such a booming spot,” said property manager Kelley MacQueen, noting that the removal of the buildings has increased the sight lines and will add to the overall look.

“It certainly cleans up the corner.”

She said her father, Gordon, who built the business in 1976, had invested in the bike shop’s neighbouring property about 15 years ago. At that point, the business moved into that home while its current shop was under construction.

The two were looking at the potential of further development prior to Gordon’s death this past February.

She is also now exploring the option of adding some seniors housing units in the area.

“Especially when the city has so many opportunities and incentives (to create affordable seniors housing). There’s a couple things they’re doing to enhance the desire to build,” said MacQueen.

City council passed its affordable housing incentive program during Monday’s meeting. The programs has a number of recommendations, including allowing residential units to be built in upper floors of the commercial sector and reducing its requirements for parking spaces by 50 per cent for affordable housing units.

The demolition of the buildings aren’t the only major changes that have occurred recently near the Queen and Pond intersection. A 23-unit apartment is under construction on Pond Street while the city is also planning to install a sidewalk in the area.

MacQueen said the store had previously re-ordered new vinyl siding, which will be going on soon.

“It’s going to look amazing, the shop is going to have a facelift,” said MacQueen. “We’re going to have a really nice property here. That was Gordon MacQueen’s vision.”