Kelowna Construction - Page 227

csbvan · #**4521** Posted **Sep 29, 2023, 11:10 PM**

Even just a full-fledged BRT would make me ecstatic.

KelownaResident · #**4522** Posted **Sep 30, 2023, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayMi

Biggest push is going to be mass transit. Primary focus in Kelowna widening the hwy from 6 to 8 lanes to facilitate Bus rapid transit. First steps before future LRT.

Additionally, the Clement Road extension is a massive priority for council. Previous council secured funding for the design work and current council is already working with the province to secure funding.

Do you see LRT even possible for Kelowna in the next 10 years? It would be insanely beneficial for mass transit IMHO.

JayMi · #**4523** Posted **Sep 30, 2023, 7:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelownaResident

Do you see LRT even possible for Kelowna in the next 10 years? It would be insanely beneficial for mass transit IMHO.

BRT is the starting point. You at least get the cross sections and can introduce an lRT later. LRT wouldn’t come until the BRT reaches capacity. Honestly lucky if we see it within 20 years.

Big tell will come from the province and their new “lists” requiring certain amount of housing being built. The province may require high density along a BRT as a requirement to fund it. We’ll see how fall legislation rolls out.

Homerbush · #**4524** Posted **Oct 1, 2023, 5:05 PM**

Was at the downtown Safeway on Friday and snapped a quick pic of Bertram/The Block.

giallo · #**4525** Posted **Oct 3, 2023, 8:10 PM**

Some updates from yesterday

Chrissir · #**4526** Posted **Oct 3, 2023, 8:32 PM**

Awesome! Thanks for the updates

I'm excited to see Bertram and the Block finished, I'll have to go downtown and grab some pictures at night!

https://www.proximalight.ca/bernard-block

Metro-One · #**4527** Posted **Oct 4, 2023, 2:11 AM**

Some great shots! Looking forward to my annual visit again next summer!

Pejamu · #**4528** Posted **Oct 4, 2023, 4:17 AM**

Ella looks a lot shorter now haha, thanks for the pics!

kev_427 · #**4529** Posted **Oct 4, 2023, 12:04 PM**

It appears there won't be any major road projects happening in Kelowna until about 2040, so maybe it's time to start thinking of some transit improvements in the meantime. Kelowna's not big enough for an LRT or MRT yet, and a BRT route down Harvey would take away traffic lanes, so I came up with a concept for a BRT transitway that can be upgraded to a tram or LRT when the need arises, similar to Ottawa's transitways. BRT has been proposed along Harvey as well as the old rail corridor, which I'm not a big fan of since it doesn't get close enough to the denser neighbourhoods and activity centres. This transitway goes right through major development areas which could become transit-oriented developments.

It starts at the Mill Site, goes south alongside Sunset Dr, until it reaches a station at Prospera Place. It then follows the pathway between Water and Ellis to a station at the future civic plaza at the 350 Doyle development. The next station would be at the Queensway Exchange, and would then head down Pandosy. It would turn east down Leon, which could become a transit only street with a station at the end of the upcoming Bertram pedestrian overpass which serves the Central Green development. It would continue down Leon until turning South on Gordon, pass over Harvey then enter the Capri Mall redevelopment. It would then turn east on Sutherland, following the planned new alignment through the Landmark District, where the next station would be. After crossing Spall, it would travel along Kent Rd and Agassiz Rd, then go through Orchard Plaza, which could potentially be redeveloped. It would then cut through Orchard Park Mall, also redeveloped, with a station next to the mall. A future extension would have stations at Leckie and Enterprise, the latter which would be an interchange station with (drumroll) a commuter rail line along the old rail corridor.

I would have liked to include lines down Pandosy and towards Rutland, but there really isn't enough room for a transit line in those areas. They'll have be ok with mixed-traffic bus routes for a while. Now that I think about it there might be enough room for a line down Richter St. Might add that in the future.

Anyway, here's the link to my Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1VDWHhq1RN6sA0zY5ZFVNA-g37AtPlFo&usp=sharing

JayMi · #**4530** Posted **Oct 5, 2023, 10:25 PM**

Update on the FSH (1405 St Paul) project. It is going to council on Oct 17. Link to the staff report and supporting documents below.

https://kelownapublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=44900

https://kelownapublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=44904

https://kelownapublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=44905

https://kelownapublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=44906

Here is the summary at the end of the report:

"This project as proposed meets Zoning Bylaw Regulations and OCP Guidelines in an average way, on a significant corner for pedestrians in the centre of the Downtown Urban Centre. Ideally, the project would have less micro-suites, less podium massing, enhanced design of the tower and tower top, and more bicycle parking to be considered above average and context sensitive.

Positive aspects of this project include the likelihood of a grocery store anchor tenant, enhanced streetscapes, significant residential density in an appropriate location, installation of a bus shelter, and a $700,000 contribution to the Housing Opportunities Reserve Fund. Staff have negotiated with the applicant to improve the negatives associated with this application; however, the developer has reached their maximum number of changes to ensure financial viability of the project. In a housing market situation highlighted by the recent Housing Needs Assessment, Staff are recommending support for this project while acknowledging the challenges associated with this proposal."

Vancouver_Highrise · #**4531** Posted **Oct 6, 2023, 5:48 PM**

^ what a shame this horribly designed condo will block UBCO downtown campus.

giallo · #**4532** Posted **Oct 6, 2023, 6:14 PM**

I like that there's room for a grocery store, but that's about it.

The base is.....uninspired if I'm being polite, and has zero in common with the actual tower. There's got to be a better way to integrate these hulking, above-ground parking lot podiums into the streetscape. I still think they should be canvases for local and international artists. Anything's better than these randomly-placed multicoloured panels.

The tower itself is a bit of a dog's breakfast. It's an explosion of balconies with little else going for it.

But hey, it's more housing and density in a city that needs it.

KelownaResident · #**4533** Posted **Oct 7, 2023, 6:28 AM**

Soulless and uninspiring, but still a notch above Mission Group tower podiums. It's not ugly but it could be so much more, or at least not so little. Wish our building code had tighter restrictions for what developers can get away with in regards to podiums. Mission Group is trying to cover their Bernard Block podium with little sticks to break up the massing. It helps, but it doesn't work. A shame because once these are built they'll be up basically forever.

The comments in the summary report are good. It shows that the city planners are keenly aware of what this proposal is, and isn't.

JayMi · #**4534** Posted **Oct 11, 2023, 9:45 PM**

One tower on Coronation Ave downtown has been submitted. Last year 3 towers were proposed and turned down by council. It’s a rental tower with daycare. It’s a modular construction build. Details in link below.

https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/DevApps...23-0185%20Coronation%20Ave%20627-659.pdf

KelownaResident · #**4535** Posted **Oct 11, 2023, 11:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayMi

One tower on Coronation Ave downtown has been submitted. Last year 3 towers were proposed and turned down by council. It’s a rental tower with daycare. It’s a modular construction build. Details in link below.

https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/DevApps...23-0185%20Coronation%20Ave%20627-659.pdf

Seems slightly big for the area but considering that there will probably be more redevelopment around it's probably fine. Nice that the developer isn't trying to maximize the floorplate and podium height. Should be easier for the neighbours but I'm sure they'll still throw their arms up in the air as it's a bit of density being proposed. The facade is a little funky but adding more eyes on the street should improve safety.

JayMi · #**4536** Posted **Oct 12, 2023, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelownaResident

Seems slightly big for the area but considering that there will probably be more redevelopment around it's probably fine. Nice that the developer isn't trying to maximize the floorplate and podium height. Should be easier for the neighbours but I'm sure they'll still throw their arms up in the air as it's a bit of density being proposed. The facade is a little funky but adding more eyes on the street should improve safety.

Won’t be too out of character for the area. It’s identical height (56m & 19 storey) to Mission Groups rental tower which is really close by. Main difference is this project has a daycare built in which will be huge for council. Shouldn’t be controversial.

The height map in the area is, with bonusing, 15 storeys and 56m. A reminder that rental projects in Urban Centres get a 20% parking reduction. As a result, you save height as you won’t need a fourth storey of parking allowing for the extra residential floor heights. The direction from council is they don’t want to see height variances, but variances to the number of storeys has been fine.

It’s also nice seeing more developers come to Kelowna and not just seeing Kerkoff and Mission Group. Will bring different architects and some different building styles.

Coldrsx · #**4537** Posted **Oct 12, 2023, 3:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayMi

Did Calgary 2007 just throw up?

Repthe250 · #**4538** Posted **Oct 17, 2023, 1:01 AM**

I really don’t like that THIS is going up next to the UBC tower. I was really hoping the UBC tower would pump some inspiration into the surrounding area but I guess not, back to building generic copy-and-paste balcony-disasters

Metro-One · #**4539** Posted **Oct 20, 2023, 4:44 AM**

So, updated designs for Boucherie Rd. Interchange and Westlake Rd. Interchanges were posted a few days ago.

This is the only real highway upgrade coming to the Okanagan for a while, so they better enjoy it!

KI1 by Ian, on Flickr

KI2 by Ian, on Flickr

Still no schedule given...

kev_427 · #**4540** Posted **Oct 20, 2023, 6:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

So, updated designs for Boucherie Rd. Interchange and Westlake Rd. Interchanges were posted a few days ago.

This is the only real highway upgrade coming to the Okanagan for a while, so they better enjoy it!

KI1 by Ian, on Flickr

KI2 by Ian, on Flickr

Still no schedule given...

That Boucherie interchange looks bizarre. Quite a departure from the original diamond interchange design. There's some tight turns in there, is there no way they can straighten it out a bit?