Post by DuaneT on Mar 3, 2005 13:12:36 GMT -5
Downtown population set to double 
By RON SEYMOUR The Daily Courier
The number of people living in downtown Kelowna will have almost doubled when already-approved condos and highrises are completed
The central core's population is expected to soon reach 2,250, up from 1,200 just four years ago
A proliferation of waterfront towers, Ellis Avenue condos and a number of smallerscale projects is driving the mini population boom in the region bounded by Harvey, Richter, the railway tracks and the lake. "We've been trying to encourage higherdensity development downtown for a long time, and it's encouraging to see the market conditions finally supporting that goal," Andrew Bruce, the city's development services manager, said Wednesday
Members of the city's advisory planning commission on Tuesday gave their approval to the latest multi-family downtown projects, a 52-unit building on St. Paul Street and a 40-unit apartment building on Bernard Avenue just outside the central core at Graham Street
Encouraging more permanent residents downtown is key to rejuvenating the area, business leaders say.
“You can have all the marketing and promotions you want, but nothing makes as much of a difference as having more people live in the centre of the city,” said Clint McKenzie, executive director of the Downtown Kelowna Association.
“The concentration of people helps to create the feel of a real neighbourhood,” he said, adding the area’s attractions include the proximity of the lake, the cultural district and varied shopping opportunities within easy walking distance.
In the next few months, the city expects to receive at least three more development applications for downtown highrises and condos. One of them will be submitted by North Ellis Developments, a company planning an 11-storey highrise at the corner of Ellis and Doyle.
“There’s definitely a renewal happening now in the downtown,” said Mel Kotler, one of the company’s five partners.
The creation of UBC Okanagan, pending construction of a new bridge and the strong provincial economy all give developers confidence in the future of Kelowna, Kotler said.
“We want to put up a tasteful and proper building for the increasing number of people who want to live downtown,” said Kotler, who expects construction on the highrise to start in 2006.
Despite the construction activity, there are no immediate plans to put traffic signals at any downtown intersections, city officials say, though it’s possible some corners, such as Cawston and Ellis, could get illuminated pedestrian crossings.
By RON SEYMOUR The Daily Courier
The number of people living in downtown Kelowna will have almost doubled when already-approved condos and highrises are completed
The central core's population is expected to soon reach 2,250, up from 1,200 just four years ago
A proliferation of waterfront towers, Ellis Avenue condos and a number of smallerscale projects is driving the mini population boom in the region bounded by Harvey, Richter, the railway tracks and the lake. "We've been trying to encourage higherdensity development downtown for a long time, and it's encouraging to see the market conditions finally supporting that goal," Andrew Bruce, the city's development services manager, said Wednesday
Members of the city's advisory planning commission on Tuesday gave their approval to the latest multi-family downtown projects, a 52-unit building on St. Paul Street and a 40-unit apartment building on Bernard Avenue just outside the central core at Graham Street
Encouraging more permanent residents downtown is key to rejuvenating the area, business leaders say.
“You can have all the marketing and promotions you want, but nothing makes as much of a difference as having more people live in the centre of the city,” said Clint McKenzie, executive director of the Downtown Kelowna Association.
“The concentration of people helps to create the feel of a real neighbourhood,” he said, adding the area’s attractions include the proximity of the lake, the cultural district and varied shopping opportunities within easy walking distance.
In the next few months, the city expects to receive at least three more development applications for downtown highrises and condos. One of them will be submitted by North Ellis Developments, a company planning an 11-storey highrise at the corner of Ellis and Doyle.
“There’s definitely a renewal happening now in the downtown,” said Mel Kotler, one of the company’s five partners.
The creation of UBC Okanagan, pending construction of a new bridge and the strong provincial economy all give developers confidence in the future of Kelowna, Kotler said.
“We want to put up a tasteful and proper building for the increasing number of people who want to live downtown,” said Kotler, who expects construction on the highrise to start in 2006.
Despite the construction activity, there are no immediate plans to put traffic signals at any downtown intersections, city officials say, though it’s possible some corners, such as Cawston and Ellis, could get illuminated pedestrian crossings.