Seven years after an ambitious two-tower development in Vancouver’s West End was approved by Vancouver council, the project still hasn’t broken ground.

In hopes of reigniting it, the developer has proposed converting part of the project — at 1444 Alberni and 740 Nicola streets — from market rental to social housing.

Under the original plan, there were going to be 129 units of market rental housing, and the city was to receive $75 million in community amenity contributions, including a 56-space daycare and approximately $67 million in cash for things such as parks, libraries and recreation facilities.

But under a revised rezoning application now before the city, 51 social housing units would be built, the number of market rental units would drop to 78, and the city wouldn’t get as much c

See Full Page