The City of Edmonton is one step closer to building 19 units of transitional housing for women.

On Wednesday, Edmonton City Council’s executive committee agreed to sell the land to Edmonton City Center Church Recommendation (E4C) for $1,000 in the Quarters neighborhood near downtown.

“They have been a great neighbor and their new building will continue to serve Edmontonians in that way, but they will be bringing in administrative staff from the office, which will add a lot of activity and vibrancy to the area,” Ward O-Conde day’min said. Anne Stevenson said at the town hall.

The land, located next to Kinistinaw Park, is worth about $3 million. It also features the Joseph Reed Residence, which is listed on the Edmonton Historic Resources Inventory.

The 1912 building has no official designation and is not protected.

E4C plans to demolish the building to make way for its new shelter and affordable housing. The project would also become the organization’s new headquarters for the work of its 100 employees.

“We understand that you want to be part of a community and you want to have your eyes on the park,” said E4C Executive Director Barbara Spencer. “We want the community and seniors at the Chinese Seniors Lodge to feel really comfortable walking out the front door.”

The project would also be expected to encourage more development in the Quarters, where the city has spent about $100 million on infrastructure such as the nearby park and LRT stop.

E4C will decide early next year whether to go ahead with construction.