This is a drawing of the streetscape where the former RCMP building in downtown Kelowna will be redeveloped.
Image Credit: Submitted/City of Kelowna
June 10, 2020 - 11:30 AM
The City of Kelowna has chosen a local company, RISE Commercial Developments, to build on the controversial former RCMP site in downtown Kelowna.
The project was announced today, June 10. The land where the RCMP building sat at 350 Doyle Ave will be leased to RISE for 99 years at a cost of $7 million, after which the land will revert to the city.
The Kelowna Legacy group had opposed the city’s plans to develop the site separately from the rest of what is called the Civic Precinct but the city news release is entitled “Civic Precinct Plan taking shape with key development selection.”
The Legacy Group wanted more study and public input on redevelopment of the area north of City Hall but the city stuck by its 2016 plan.
READ MORE: Legacy group 'shocked' over council reactions to proposal
RISE will provide a 6,000-square-foot cultural space inside the building, build a new civic plaza outside and connect the city’s Artwalk to Doyle Avenue at a cost of $4.3 million.
The news release doesn’t say how many storeys of housing will be provided.
RISE is expected to apply for a development permit as early as September. It recently completed The Shore project on Lakeshore Road.
“Moving forward with RISE on this site supports the momentum of the Cultural District and fills the need for more housing options downtown, in addition to delivering new spaces and amenities to benefit the entire community,” Graham Hood, the city’s strategic land development manager, said in the news release.
This is a sketch of the Artwalk.
Image Credit: Submitted/City of Kelowna
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