The heritage tree will remain a natural landmark within the future park area of Central Green.
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
August 27, 2013 - 2:22 PM
KELOWNA – The long vacant Central Green site on Harvey Avenue is finally getting some attention. The provincial government announced today it's putting up funds for a low income housing development off 1700 Chapman Place.
For years the former site of Kelowna Secondary School has been sitting empty, waiting for a largescale mixed use development known as Central Green. Bridging with the existing downtown district, it's envisioned as a large urban centre with a five acre green space at it's core.
Of the six city owned parcels that make up the site, one is specifically designated for an affordable housing building that will offer up to 90 suites for residents living on a low to modest income.
Similar partnerships between the city and B.C. Housing include the Willowbridge residences on Boyce and Pandosy Street as well as theTutt Street Place apartments for single mothers.
In a press statement released today, B.C. Premier and Westside Kelowna MLA Christy Clark said Central Green is a step in the right direction for affordable living in Kelowna.
"I look forward to breaking ground, seeing construction begin, and making progress towards meeting Kelowna's housing needs," Clark said.
As for the rest of the parcels, they've been up for sale since April and will be sold as a complete unit. Coun. Andre Blanleil says they're hoping to see a developer come forward in the coming months.
"Basically we wanted to separate out one piece of property for affordable housing so somebody could specialize in that," Blanleil says.
After putting out a request for proposals from non-profit housing providers, the city expects to issue a development permit as soon as this fall.
A map of the various residential buildings, towers, public plaza and park space to fill the site.
Image Credit: City of Kelowna
To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013