Lawson Landing Set Back

[DuaneT]

It is with great disappointment that we hear of the decision by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) not to allow Lawson's Landing to progress in its present form. We have stated in the past and will continue to state that the Lawson Landing development would have been one of the great steps forward in revitalizing the downtown core and building much needed public space in the area. The added amenities that this proposal would have brought forward with the new boardwalk and public moorage space would have been a welcome site, especially since these amenities would have been paid for by the developer. Now it will be up to the taxpayers of Kelowna to pay for any improvements to this area.

One thing that must be noted is that this project has been put on hold because of the decision of DFO and NOT the small consistent anti-positive growth group that is currently flooding our news media with negative reports about our community.

We are glad that Phil Milroy has decided to continue on with this project and will be going back to redesign it, taking the decisions of the DFO into effect. We agree that this will be a legacy project for the area and look forward seeing the reworked design. MoveKelownaForward.com has not lost its resolve to stand for the continuing positive growth and success this city has to offer.



Sincerely

MoveKelownaForward.com

[Guest]

Sorry concrete lovers!

[DuaneT]

Mr. Guest;
The project will still be going ahead just not to the scale that would have been the most beneficial to the community. The decision by the DFO not only cause the project to be scale back but it has also restricted the possible improvements the city would be able to do along the lake shore. The DFO made a bad decision here as the developer and the city would have improved the overall water flow and quality in the area. I am not sure how familiar you are with this area since you live in Vancouver but any kind of building would improve this area. Plus the lost of a new boardwalk and boat moorage is a blow to the downtown merchants as a vibrant downtown is a successful downtown, both socially and economically.

Personally I can wait to see what the new plans are going to look like!!

[Robb Stevenson]

I agree. Having actually lived in Downtown Kelowna for 7 years (and we're talking right downtown) - unlike most of the naysayers - the decision of the DFO is short-sighted and unfortunate. I can't help but feel a double standard was applied in this case - with no opposition to the amount of fill required for the new bridge, which will have a far greater environmental impact than enhancing the boardwalk and downtown environment.

However, that said - it is promising that the developer has stated their commitment to downtown Kelowna - and the city will no-doubt attempt to accommodate the developer as much as they can. It should also be noted that the DFO stated they would reject the project as it with the current fill amount required - they may allow a further development with not as much fill required.

So while Mr. Zeger may choose to celebrate his perceived victory - he is a little late. The movement towards vibrant, sustainable, and environmentally friendly cities is well afoot and his little crusade to further promote urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and the expansion of pavement and driveways over lush orchards and mountain wilderness is failing, and will ultimately wither and die.

Vibrant, close knit, and environmentally friendly cities are the way of the future and its nice to see the city and the developer committed to that. Suburbia and urban sprawl will eventually go away - much like Mr. Zeger.

[DuaneT]

Hello Robb and welcome to the forum.

You brought up a very good point and one that I had forgotten about the fill being used for the new bridge.