Plans for Indigenous affordable housing in Sarnia have been revamped, after coming in millions over budget.
Development Manager Gail Obediah, in an update to Lambton County Council Wednesday morning, said they had to go back to the drawing board.
"We did send this whole project out for tender a couple of months ago and it came back way over budget," said Obediah. "It was $4 million over budget than what we were expecting it to be."
She said they were forced to reduce the square footage from 47,000 to just over 36,000 square feet in order to fit within the budget.
"And, with this smaller footprint, we were able to put additional parking in as well," said Obediah. "We will be leaving obviously more greenspace, which we are working with the Friendship Centre on how they can tailor that to some of their outdoor programming."
Obediah said the number of residential units is unchanged.
"We are still looking at 40 units," she said. "We have 16 one bedroom units, which three of them will be barrier free, 16 two bedroom units, and three of those will be barrier free, and we are left with eight three bedroom units and two of those will be barrier free."
A groundbreaking was originally planned for October, but that has been moved to the spring after the architect revises the construction documents to fit the new plan.