Kelowna Construction

[Calgarian]

Not bad, hope to see more like that in Kelowna!

[Ogopogo Fan]

Originally Posted by Emtee

Saw this development sign while I was downtown today with the first real render of the new Argus 26 storey tower proposal on Manhattan:

Good find, Emtee. I see that full details of the proposal are now up on Argus's website:

http://www.argusproperties.ca/manhattan-drive

[Bcasey25raptor]

Was the economy in Kelowna ever really any good?

The city always seemed poor to me and highly dependent on tourism and retirement.

When I left there was nearly no jobs and I grew up in poverty living there. The city always seemed to dependent on Albertan investors buying a second home. Jobs were scarce and the cost of living was sky high, hence my reason for leaving.

Either way, many nice projects are being proposed and I really hope the city can pick up again. I hear promising news from the tech centre and the new bernard street looks pretty sick.

I need to go down there some time, but most of my family has sadly also moved.

[Design-mind]

Have they ever finished Sopa Square?

[Ogopogo Fan]

Originally Posted by Design-mind

Have they ever finished Sopa Square?

http://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/...or_Sopa_Square

[Design-mind]

Originally Posted by Ogopogo Fan

http://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/...or_Sopa_Square

Thanks Ogopogo Fan! I really though that Sopa was a great development, hopefully they can sell it, so that it can be completed!

[Emtee]

Capri Mall makeover
by Wayne Moore | Story: 124115 - Oct 3, 2014 / 11:22 am


Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

Kelowna City Council will get its first look at the much anticipated Capri Centre Mall redevelopment when it meets again Monday.

RG Properties, owner of the mall, are asking for text amendments and zoning changes to allow for the creation of the Capri Centre Comprehensive Development zone (CD25) in order to accommodate a large scale, mixed-use development.

The biggest change to the current zoning centers around height.

The current Official Community Plan (OCP) support structures up to 12 stories, however, the proposed development calls for a 26 storey tower in the centre of the property and a maximum of 22 storeys adjacent to Sutherland Avenue.

"While height has persisted as the principle discussion item, the evolution of the development concept has successfully addressed the transition of height from north to south with the tallest structure in the core of the property," reads the report.

"The proposed height is higher than anticipated but by allowing higher structures, more publicly accessible open space can be created at grade."

The proposed project would include 15 buildings ranging in height from six to 26 storeys.

In exchange for the height and density increase, RG Properties will provide a variety of publicly accessible open spaces throughout the project including an urban square that would operate as an ice rink during the winter months.

The overall development is expected to include:

A residential neighbourhood that includes street-oriented townhouses with front and rear yards, city homes and apartments.
A market square anchored by a food store
A community park featuring seasonal and year round events
Mixed use neighbourhood village centre
Numerous pedestrian links and pedestrian/cyclist only pathways
The proposed re-development of the 55-year-old mall was first proposed to City Hall about two years ago.

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna...-Mall-makeover

And the report to Council can be found here:

http://www.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/..._Oct6_2014.pdf

[bigcitydude]

anyone know where Flintstoneland used to be located? i never made it out in the 70's to see it and it was long gone by the time i finally got to Kelowna in 2011.

[deedub35]

Originally Posted by bigcitydude

anyone know where Flintstoneland used to be located? i never made it out in the 70's to see it and it was long gone by the time i finally got to Kelowna in 2011.

Northeast corner of hwy 97 and McCurdy. There is a strip mall there now that has the Brick, multiplex theatre, a couple of pubs and restaurants.

[Procrastinational]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Was the economy in Kelowna ever really any good?

The city always seemed poor to me and highly dependent on tourism and retirement.

When I left there was nearly no jobs and I grew up in poverty living there. The city always seemed to dependent on Albertan investors buying a second home. Jobs were scarce and the cost of living was sky high, hence my reason for leaving.

Either way, many nice projects are being proposed and I really hope the city can pick up again. I hear promising news from the tech centre and the new bernard street looks pretty sick.

I need to go down there some time, but most of my family has sadly also moved.

I would imagine it is still a region of modest incomes relative to the rest of the province, but from what I gather from talking to people who have been here a while, there has been a fairly substantial increase in light industry jobs since the connector opened up. Obviously not as high paying as the high tech that is VERY slowly creeping in, but it's a start.

Overall though, the economy is still not very diversified. Things really slowed down during the recession when the housing market slowed.

[Procrastinational]

Originally Posted by deedub35

Northeast corner of hwy 97 and McCurdy. There is a strip mall there now that has the Brick, multiplex theatre, a couple of pubs and restaurants.

Do you happen to know how long that complex has been there? I'm curious.

[deedub35]

Originally Posted by Procrastinational

Do you happen to know how long that complex has been there? I'm curious.

It was before I moved here but I heard around 1998. Next to it was a Wild Waters.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by bigcitydude

anyone know where Flintstoneland used to be located? i never made it out in the 70's to see it and it was long gone by the time i finally got to Kelowna in 2011.

The flintstones land was torn down in the mid to late 90s.

I remember going there when I was a kid.

The area is now suburban hell, across the street from scandia, theres a movie theatre and a Triple Os there.

[Metro-One]

Kind of annoying that over the last 20 years BC has lost far more family attractions than it has gained. There use to be a Flinstones Land in the Fraser Valley as well, now it is gone...

The most bizarre thing about the Okanagan is it has the best summer climate in Canada, it bases a major part of its economy and image on summer activities, yet there is not a single decent water park in the entire area....

There is only a small one in Vernon now. There use to be a small one in Osoyoos (now gone) and another one in Penticton (now gone). Really annoyed me a couple years ago when I went to Penticton and found no waterslides...

Would be great if someone would build a decent theme park in the area (obviously with a focus on a major water park).

The only decent water park in BC is Cultus Lake. It is also the only one actually growing and adding attractions. Hmm, maybe a business model to copy??

[millerman]

Metro-One: I find the same issue in the Okanogan also.

There may be a new attraction coming to the Vernon area in the next year, directly adjacent to the Atlantis water slides - a Zorbing park. Consists of giant inflated plastic balls people climb into. They put a small amount of water in the Zorbing ball and then push you onto a slope and you swish around and roll down the hill. Apparently New Zealand has had one of these parks for 17 years and still runs at full capacity. There are two locations in the US and a few in the UK also.

Looks kinda corny to me for 20 a 30 bucks a ride, but I'm sure my kids would love it.

[Ogopogo Fan]

From: http://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/...ws/14/10/23/16

Central Green Development a Done Deal

Plans have been finalized and construction is scheduled to begin for the development of an LEED certified neighborhood on the property where the old Kelowna Senior Secondary School once was.

The City of Kelowna has finalized the contract with Al Stober Construction Limited to purchase the remaining five parcels at the Central Green site. The deal is worth more than $6 million and the development of the site is expected to start as early as 2015.

Photo Credit: Contributed



“The City and the community worked together from 2008 to 2011 to create a comprehensive plan for Central Green that would guide its development,” said Mayor Walter Gray. “The properties have been for sale since 2012, but we now have the right market conditions and a local developer that came to the table with an offer that will see the community’s vision for the site unfold.”


Photo Credit: Contributed

Located minutes from downtown and across from Kelowna Central School, the site is bordered by Harvey Avenue, Richter Street and Rowcliffe Avenue. It was decided that 15 per cent of the site would be dedicated to affordable housing. The parcels set aside for housing wrap around a two-hectare area reserved for Rowcliffe Community Park. The park is scheduled to begin construction in 2017.

Al Stober Construction, the company behind the Landmark building in Kelowna, purchased the parcels known in the comprehensive development zone (CD22) as Areas A, B, C, D and G. In the next coming months, the company will begin the development permitting process with the intention of constructing rental housing. The development of rental housing will meet the identified need for affordable housing and rental properties in the city.


Photo Credit: Contributed

“We are very excited at the opportunity to deliver a top quality residential development for this great location adjacent to Kelowna’s downtown,” said Steve Kumpf, General Manager for Al Stober Construction Limited. “Our pedestrian-oriented development plan for Central Green creates a vibrant and livable neighborhood that includes a large community park and is a quick walk to the beach or downtown’s dining, shopping and central business district.”

The City Kelowna also sold Areas E and F to Davara Holding for $800,000 in 2013 to build a support centre for the Karis Support Society. The proposed 30 unit project is currently under development. Area H was offered to B.C. Housing and will be operated by the Ki-Lo-Na Friendship Society as an affordable housing development with 86 units. The proposed Rowcilffe Community Park will be developed in Area I.

Photo Credit: Contributed

"To me the biggest problem is that we just don't have bodies living downtown...it's been tough to get people downtown and I just think this project will help revitalize it," said Marshall McAnerney Investment Sales Division Colliers International.

With 800,000 square feet of space, the energy efficient housing project has vast potential for the progress of our community and investment in Kelowna's housing future.

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by Emtee

Saw this development sign while I was downtown today with the first real render of the new Argus 26 storey tower proposal on Manhattan:

On manhattan? That's fitting

[giallo]

I had forgotten all about the old KSS development. Looks decent so far. I wonder what the buildings will look like.

Sidenote: It's rare to see aerials of the southern portion of downtown from that angle. Wow.....it looks terrible from the air. Having said that, there's so much potential there. Here's hoping that the Central Green development can kick off a whole slew of redevelopment projects in the area.

[Procrastinational]

Originally Posted by Ogopogo Fan

From: http://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/...ws/14/10/23/16

Wow.
Being right on 97, that will really change the look of things when you come off the bridge into town!

[SOSS]

Agreed. From that angle Kelowna looks terrible. Most high density development has been isolated along Ellis St and at the north end. 24 was supposed to go in but I think that project died some time ago. The new hotel will look fantastic. I think that will likely spur more development before Central Green does.

What see happened to the linear park idea? I can't find info on it by I recall an idea being floated to have a park installed along the north side of Hwy 97 connecting all the various empty spaces along that section. Very few buildings are along there and it would connect tourist points of interest together like the the old bridge anchor, downtown park, Abbott St pathway and future Ethel St pathway.