Redevelopment plans are in the works for downtown Vernon as the city looks to sell one property and purchase three others. Council gave two readings Tuesday to rezone the city-owned Bennett parking lot, at 3006 29th Ave., in the hopes that a developer will purchase the site and proceed with a multi-use complex. However, the issue is more broad-based and could see the city purchase the Elks Club on 30th Street, the Royal Canadian Legion on 31st Avenue and Vernon Medical Clinic on 31st Avenue. “It’s a revitalization of the downtown area,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.
The city has issued a call for expressions of interest for development of the 30,000-square-foot Bennett parking lot. Developers have until Nov. 6 to make submissions. The city envisions possible commercial and residential space there. It would require the developer to provide 120 parking stalls that would be owned and managed by the city. The city has letters of intent from the Legion, the Elks and the Vernon Medical Clinic to occupy space in any new building on the Bennett property. The goal is for the city to exchange land and buildings owned by the Elks and the Legion for space in the new development, so the city would be financially responsible for providing this space.
Vernon Medical Clinic has agreed to sell its existing property to the city, so the physicians would be responsible for their own space requirements in the new building. Financial details are not being disclosed at this time, partly because strata values in a new building at the Bennett parking lot aren’t known yet. Long-term uses for the Elks and medical clinic have not been identified, but Cunningham has plans for the Legion. “It’s an ideal site for residential housing,” she said. Coun. Barry Beardsell, who was absent Tuesday, is pleased to hear public parking will be preserved at the Bennett site. “It sounds reasonable to me,” he said of the city’s requirement for 120 parking stalls. The city purchased the Bennett property in 2001 for $780,000.
Lone opposition Tuesday came from Coun. Pat Cochrane. He suggested that rezoning from public institutional to business district should be placed on hold while the official community plan review is underway. Cochrane also questioned whether any new complex will lead to housing. “Where’s the commitment to get housing downtown?” he said. Rezoning of the Bennett parking lot will be the focus of a public hearing Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
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