Kelowna Construction

[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.

[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.

[Emtee]

Originally Posted by 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.

The Green belt along Harvey idea was merely conceptual as a result of the Downtown Plan charrette. It was shot down by city staff as being too expensive and was not included in the final Downtown Plan.

As for 24, in the recent articles about the Aquilini's trying to buy Sopa Square, their spokesman said it was on hiatus, not necessarily dead.

[Emtee]

.

Proposed 26-storey hotel in limbo




Plans for a 26-storey hotel and office building in the Manhattan Point area of downtown Kelowna have been withdrawn by the developer.
City planning staff were poised to recommend approval for the major project and it had been expected a rezoning request would soon be considered by council.
However, Argus Properties has now withdrawn the application in a move that surprised city officials who were working on the file for months.
“We're a bit puzzled by this,” Ryan Smith, the city's urban planning manager, said Tuesday.
“The report to council was ready to go and we were going to recommend support for the rezoning, subject to a few conditions,” Smith said. “It's an uncommon point for a development to come off line.”
But company officials say they expect the project will still go ahead if some outstanding issues with the city can be resolved. One apparently contentious point is how much the company is being asked to pay for road improvements in the area.
“We've got a few off-site servicing issues that we're still working through,” said Darren Schlamp, Argus' development manager. “We're pretty positive these issues can be resolved.
“It's an exciting project, a great building, and we definitely believe it would be a win for the community,” Schlamp said.
Mayor Colin Basran made specific reference to the project during his inaugural address on Monday night at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. He described the proposed hotel as one of the projects that would help spark a “major transformation” in the north end industrial area.
The site for the proposed hotel, at the corner of Manhattan Drive and Sunset Drive, is currently zoned industrial. The company's plan was for a 26 storey building, made up of 14 floors dedicated to an “internationally-branded hotel”, eight storeys of office space, and four storeys of year-round residential suites that could also be rented out on a short-term basis.
The company's website still lists detailed plans for the project, including components such as conference space, rooftop pool, and restaurant.
Some residents of the north end had raised concerns about the project's potential impact on the community, but the Kelowna Downtown Knox Mountain Neighbourhood Association had yet to take a formal position on the application.
“Considering the time and money spent on this proposal, it's curious it would be pulled now,” association president Lisa Masini said. “But our wish would be that if it is revived, there'll be an opportunity for the public to provide meaningful feedback.”

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/ne...1cd015e50.html

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by Emtee

.

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/ne...1cd015e50.html

Oh bummer.

Has anyone heard of any updates on the monaco? Is thats till happening?

[SOSS]

Bummer is right. I wonder if the developer has concerns regarding the viability of this project with the other hotel being built downtown proper.

[giallo]

All good points.

It's funny, growing up in Kelowna, I only went to Flintstones once. Same with the red waterslides (forget the name) nearby. I remember hitting up Old Mcdonald's Farm in Westbank a few times though.

For me and my friends, it was all about Scandia, Malibu and Wild n' Wet. I can't even begin to add up the hours I spent at those three places as a kid.

[SOSS]

Next phase of John Hindle Drive to connect to UBC Okanagan. What will be the next big announcement... Highway 33 Extension aka next phase of Central Okanagan Multi-Model Corridor perhaps?

This story is direct from the BC Government Newsroom:

KELOWNA - Today, the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C. and the City of Kelowna announced $11.6 million in joint funding for the final phase of the John Hindle Drive extension project, allowing another option for students, staff and visitors en route to UBC Okanagan campus and throughout the city.

Thanks to the partnership between these three levels of government, construction of a 1.6 kilometer extension of John Hindle Drive will be able to move ahead. The project will consist of a two-lane roadway connecting Highway 97 to Glenmore Road at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) campus. It will also include the construction of a multi-use paved pathway for pedestrians and cyclists from Glenmore Road to the Hollywood Road roundabout at Highway 97 near the UBCO.

When complete, the extension of John Hindle Drive will improve traffic flow and travel times by creating alternate access to the UBCO campus, while diverting traffic from Highway 97, Glenmore Road, and Sexsmith Road. Overall, these improvements will increase safety and efficiency for area commuters, pedestrians and cyclists.

Quick Facts:

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $3.5 million through the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component for this project. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the 2007 Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.
The Province of British Columbia is providing up to $3.5 million towards this project.
The City of Kelowna is investing $4.6 million towards the total cost of $11.6 million.
Phase one, which was completed earlier this year by the City of Kelowna, involved the extension of John Hindle Drive from Glenmore Road to the regional landfill site.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by SOSS

Next phase of John Hindle Drive to connect to UBC Okanagan. What will be the next big announcement... Highway 33 Extension aka next phase of Central Okanagan Multi-Model Corridor perhaps?

This story is direct from the BC Government Newsroom:

KELOWNA - Today, the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C. and the City of Kelowna announced $11.6 million in joint funding for the final phase of the John Hindle Drive extension project, allowing another option for students, staff and visitors en route to UBC Okanagan campus and throughout the city.

Thanks to the partnership between these three levels of government, construction of a 1.6 kilometer extension of John Hindle Drive will be able to move ahead. The project will consist of a two-lane roadway connecting Highway 97 to Glenmore Road at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) campus. It will also include the construction of a multi-use paved pathway for pedestrians and cyclists from Glenmore Road to the Hollywood Road roundabout at Highway 97 near the UBCO.

When complete, the extension of John Hindle Drive will improve traffic flow and travel times by creating alternate access to the UBCO campus, while diverting traffic from Highway 97, Glenmore Road, and Sexsmith Road. Overall, these improvements will increase safety and efficiency for area commuters, pedestrians and cyclists.

Quick Facts:

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $3.5 million through the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component for this project. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the 2007 Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.
The Province of British Columbia is providing up to $3.5 million towards this project.
The City of Kelowna is investing $4.6 million towards the total cost of $11.6 million.
Phase one, which was completed earlier this year by the City of Kelowna, involved the extension of John Hindle Drive from Glenmore Road to the regional landfill site.

About time!

[SOSS]

I definitely think it helps having some political clout in the area. The provincial leader right across the lake with her government just happen to announce this funding project with the Kelowna Mayor and council... I wonder if it was the liberals way of putting support behind Grey and who he supported as his replacement during the civic election. I for one am glad Basran in instead of Shepherd. He'll carry Grey's torch. The only thing Shepherd brought in during her previous reign was the most expensive recreational facility per capita in Canada. H2O, although a great facility, is way too much debt IMO.

Bring on the next big project!

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by SOSS

I definitely think it helps having some political clout in the area. The provincial leader right across the lake with her government just happen to announce this funding project with the Kelowna Mayor and council... I wonder if it was the liberals way of putting support behind Grey and who he supported as his replacement during the civic election. I for one am glad Basran in instead of Shepherd. He'll carry Grey's torch. The only thing Shepherd brought in during her previous reign was the most expensive recreational facility per capita in Canada. H2O, although a great facility, is way too much debt IMO.

Bring on the next big project!

No longer living in Kelowna I didn't follow the election too much, but I too am happy with what I have heard about Basran. I didn't dislike Shepherd, but it seems like Basran is more focused on the necessary changes that Kelowna needs. I am sure both understood that redeveloping the core was crucial, but it seems to me that Basran based his campaign entirely on that concept. Again, I could be wrong, I really only read the post-election coverage.

[SOSS]

Care of Castanet:

Road network up for discussion

by Wayne Moore | Story: 127399 - Nov 22, 2014 / 5:46 pm

Residents are invited to drop by an open house at the Capital News Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to learn more about the possible reprioritization of road network plans in the Okanagan Mission area.

“The City has received a developer proposal to accelerate the construction of South Perimeter Road from Gordon Drive to Stewart Road West approximately 10 years ahead of schedule,” says director of business ventures, John Vos.

“Council has asked staff to engage the community to hear firsthand if this is acceptable.”

This additional access to the Okanagan Mission could be in place as early as 2015 to facilitate the establishment of the Pond’s commercial village centre linking the communities of Crawford and the Ponds.

“The schedule could bump other projects for an additional three to six years, affecting the more notable road improvements on Casorso Road from Benvoulin to Bedford and Lakeshore Road from DeHart to Old Meadows. The exception of this of course is the Lakeshore Road adjacent to Anne McClymont Elementary School, which is already approved and is scheduled for 2015 pending land acquisitions,” adds Vos.

Display panels will also be available online at kelowna.ca/city projects under South Perimeter Road and comments can be directed to [email protected] until Dec. 7, 2014, or dropped off at City Hall at 1435 Water St.

The South Perimeter Road has been in the Official Community Plan and 20 Year Financial Strategy as part of the Southwest Okanagan Mission Sector Plan since 1995 and is currently scheduled for construction in approximately 10 years.

[SOSS]

Daily Courier Article. I have sympathy for the business owners however I think a reason construction didn't last beyond 5 or on weekends was in part because of the residential community that is passes through. I know these jobs take a lot of time especially since they upgrade all the utilities during construction.

Businesses hope to recover as Lakeshore Road finally reopens

Posted: Sunday, November 30, 2014 9:33 pm

The re-opening of the Lakeshore Road bridge on Sunday after a six-month closure should have been a cause for celebration for Grace Sue.
But the Kelowna businesswoman, owner of Nari Sushi, says she’s worried her restaurant’s trade might not rebound from what she describes as a significant downturn during the road’s long closure.
“I’m very nervous,” Sue said, just a couple hours after traffic started moving once again on the Lakeshore Road bridge over Mission Creek.
“I think a lot of my customers started going to other restaurants, and I don’t know if they’ll come back or not,” said Sue, whose restaurant has been located just south of the Mission Creek bridge for nine years.
The loss in revenue was so considerable Sue had to re-mortgage her house to keep the business going, and she still had to shut the restaurant for almost a month in September.
“The road was so dug up, it was impossible for anybody to get here,” she said.
Just north of the sushi restaurant, the Creekside pub was about one-third filled with patrons on Sunday afternoon.
Manager Daniel Perju said the pub’s business was down about 35 per cent during the bridge reconstruction. Staffing levels were also reduced because of the drop-off in business.
“We are very happy to see the bridge open again,” Perju said. “We’ve even got a turning lane into our business now, which wasn’t there before, and there are sidewalks so it’s much nicer for pedestrians.”
The road was re-opened to traffic around noon without fanfare.
The $11-million project included a new and higher bridge deck, sidewalks, decorative lighting and ornamental railings.
Among those out for a stroll to inspect the new bridge was Curtis McEwan.
“It’s nice enough, but it’s a little hard to understand how it could have taken so long to build,” he said.
That was a sentiment shared by sushi restaurant owner Sue, who said she was frustrated by what seemed to her to the slow pace of construction.
“They only worked till four or five, and they never worked weekends,” she said. “I know the city would say that’s because they didn’t want to pay overtime, but I still had to pay my staff, my suppliers, my hydro, everything.
“I really think they could have done this quicker.”

[Emtee]

Aquillini's purchase SOPA



An offer by the Aquillini Group to purchase the stalled SOPA Square project has been accepted.

The $29.5M bid was accepted by the courts earlier this week.

As part of the process, other prospective developers now have six weeks in which to put in their own bid for the SOPA development.

Any new bid would have to be higher than the Aquillini bid.

The SOPA Square project, approved by Kelowna City Council in 2008, has been beset with financial problems nearly from the outset.

The project stalled after the original developer ran out of money.

A second developer from Alberta took over the project but they too were unable to fund the project to its completion.

It went into receivership late last year.

Only two floors of the 11-storey project have been completed.

The Aquillini's, owners of the Vancouver Canucks, also have a large stake in the 24, a proposed Bernard Avenue development which has yet to get off the ground.

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna...-purchase-SOPA

[SOSS]

I didn't realize Aquillini's were behind 24. Hopefully SOPA gets going asap. I'd like to see them finish SOPA before starting 24. Otherwise there might be two unfinished projects under this group.

[Metro-One]

I really hope SOPA is completed and a least 1 or 2 of the other tower projects get going in Kelowna.

Seriously, Kelowna has the worst luck it seems regarding tower construction.

The most bizarre aspect is that the last tower to be constructed was an office tower... I have no idea how Kelowna pulled that off!

[Procrastinational]

Kelowna actually has an acceptable number of low to mid rises, the problem is they aren't clustered together, so they just randomly dot the cityscape. The tallest building in the city isn't even downtown

[SOSS]

Kelowna really has had its construction around its traditional city centres and a couple newer sections of town. Kelowna, Mission, Rutland. Other newer areas follow old money in the town. There were a handful of families that settled in Kelownas early days. Orchard Park Mall, Capri Mall, the Conservatory, SOPA (original investors) are a couple of locations that come to mind.

[SOSS]

Another successful road project completed in West Kelowna. I am glad to have an alternative to Hwy 97 be available. I remember before the current bridge opening up and commuting from Westbank to East Kelowna. I'd head up Westlake road and go through the hillside developments and reconnect at Westside road just to avoid 97 backups. That never got me to the bridge though. Now there are alternative routes all along the westside to the bridge. Great!

WFN seem very confident regarding a couple of upgrades on 97 at Boucherie and Hudson. Also mentioned the first of its kind in Canada, private hospital.

Article care of Castanet.net

Sneena Road overpass opens
by Wayne Moore | Story: 129096 - Dec 17, 2014 / 2:50 pm

A new roadway which connects WFN lands on each side of Highway 97 and also connects Lakeview Heights with Casa Loma and The William R Bennett Bridge officially opened Wednesday morning.

Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie says the $9.3M project, which began in the spring, concludes a commitment made years ago between the province and Westbank First Nation.

It's the third Highway 97 improvement project funded by the province and managed by WFN.

"What the underpass does is fulfills a commitment negotiated many years ago with the province of British Columbia," says WFN Chief, Robert Louie.

"We have to have access to lands on both sides of the highway so, while this can be used as an emergency purpose for travellers going south from Kelowna, the purpose of it is to allow access to the WFN lands on the northern portion of Highway 97."

Louie admits there are development plans on Locatee lands between the highway and Okanagan Lake which the underpass would access.

There are also possible development opportunities on the opposite side of the highway including a proposed medical centre.

"That is something that will be an accessibility to that facility when it is built," says Louie.

"That's still a few years away and that's something that is going to take more involvement from our community members."

The new roadway links off Tomat Avenue near Boucherie Road, goes behind the new shopping centre and the WFN Band offices, runs along the highway and connects with either the underpass or the Campbell Road interchange taking motorists to Casa Loma or Kelowna.

Louie says it will serve as an alternate route for emergency vehicles, and in case of accidents.

"Having this road will be a benefit and will be proven to be a benefit when accidents happen and emergency vehicles have to use it."

I believe too, it will relieve some of the congestion. Even if we have 200, 300 or 400 cars per day, that's still cars off Highway 97 and that has to be a benefit to the travelling public as well."

Along with the $9.3M the province paid for the project, WFN also kicked in about $700,000 for streetlighting, sidewalks and landscaping.

Next is an expected interchange and underpass at Boucherie Road which Louie says was also part of the negotiated deal with the province some years ago.

"I don't believe the province has made a final determination yet (in terms of timing). Yes, there are discussions happening and I am hopeful sooner than later, but time will tell. That will be up to the province," says Louie.

"I believe all of the accesses need work -- some more than others. Hudson Road is certainly a congested area and I know that it is a topic the province is well involved with. The District of West Kelowna is involved with that as well."

According to Mike Jacobs with Emil Anderson Construction, the company that worked on the project, nearly 6,500 labour hours went to WFN members, more than four times what was originally committed.

[Emtee]

Sopa Square Deal Gets Go Ahead



A $29.5-million bid to purchase the stalled Kelowna SOPA Square development has received the final go-ahead.

The oft-delayed project in Kelowna’s Pandosy district fell into receivership, and the bid by Vancouver’s Aquilini Group was accepted Dec. 5, triggering a six-week waiting period during which other prospective developers had the opportunity to outbid the owners of the Vancouver Canucks.

Marshall McAnerney, with commercial real estate firm Colliers International, said Tuesday afternoon receiver Ernst & Young has issued a certificate to the Aquilini Group and the courts, terminating the sales process.

The receiver is working with Aquilini to close the transaction in accordance with the so-called “stalking horse” agreement, with a target closing date of mid-February, said McAnerney.

The SOPA Square project, approved by Kelowna City Council in 2008, has been beset with financial problems nearly from the outset.

The project stalled after the original developer ran out of money.

A second developer from Alberta took over the project, but it too was unable to fund the project to completion.

It went into receivership late last year.

Only two floors of the 11-storey project have been completed.

The Aquilinis also have a large stake in the 24, a proposed Bernard Avenue development that has yet to get off the ground.

The stalled project so far consists of two commercial buildings of approximately 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and 23,490 square feet of first floor office space. It is zoned and planned for for an 11-storey residential tower and six-storey townhome complex and includes a below-ground parkade and partially constructed surface parking lot

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna...-gets-go-ahead