Annie Chow and her husband Yan Zhou are the new owners of the former Michel's Motel site and will renovate the buildings into affordable rental units named Maple Leaf Manor. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT TV)

By Jesse Gill

Affordable, safe rental units the goal for new owners of former Michael’s Motel site

Jan 17, 2024 | 5:10 PM

An application to redevelop the former Michael’s Motel site in the Riverside neighbourhood of Medicine Hat has been approved, despite some opposition from residents.

Michael’s Motel, once a hot spot for criminal activity, was closed down in the summer of 2022.

The main concern of the residents in attendance were making sure the building is being brought up to code and that criminal activity and drug use don’t return to the property.

A pair of longterm Medicine Hat residents are looking to renovate the building into 13 rental units.

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Annie Chow and her husband Yan Zhou are the new owners of the property, renamed Maple Leaf Manor.

Chow said during her presentation to council that their hope is to help people with access to affordable rental units.

She felt they would be great for low income seniors, students and workers.

Zhou will make the management of this property his full time job.

Chow said it is a good investment.

“The size is perfect for my husband to be on site full time managing,” Chow said.

“So we like this opportunity, is a good opportunity for a young family like us.”

Chow said that she was nervous with the process, but was prepared to stand up for their application.

“I’m happy that it’s been approved with condition and we’ll work with the city with planning, development, and all trades to bring this place back to code and safe for everyone around the neighbour,” she said.

“Not everybody can afford a high classy housing. We know then the need of housing, and we don’t think affordable has to correspond with criminal activity. They’re two totally different things,” she added.

“We are committed to provide provide affordable housing. Criminal activity, that has to do with management, and we have zero tolerance for any of those activities.”

Chow said they have engineers and trades people in place and have been in contact with Alberta Health Services.

Chow and Zhou have other single dwelling rental properties in the community and stated that they will use the proper methods to assure good tenants are in place.

DesignTech Engineering Inc. the named party on the development permit is an engineering firm based out of Edmonton.

They were hired by the owners to help guide them through the project.

At this time they are unsure when the redevelopment of the property will be completed.