CHUCK POULSEN 2008-10-20 Kelowna Courier:
The first proposed highrise for Bernard Avenue will offer affordable condos and kick-start the revitalization of the downtown, says a spokesman for the developer. The 26-storey building, containing 207 residential units and ground-floor commercial space, is being proposed by Francesco Aquilini, owner of the Vancouver Canucks. “We‘re trying to make it very attainable for residents in the Kelowna market,” said Kevin Hoffman, spokesman for Aquilini Developments. “Our plan is to have 100 units under $300,000 and the rest under $400,000. “We feel it‘s going to kick-start the revitalization of the downtown core. It meets what the city has been asking for for a long time.” The building, which would be about double the height currently allowed, would occupy 426 to 454 Bernard on the north side of the street. The site is between Scotiabank and Lululemon. The building, designed by Bevanda Architects of Penticton, would include 190 parking stalls in the first five floors behind the commercial space. “We feel the city has done a number of initiatives in the downtown to try to attract development, and we think it‘s the right time to do something in the downtown core,” said Hoffman.
“The response we‘ve received has been phenomenal. A number of people have been in our show suite saying it‘s finally time somebody is doing something here.” A show suite is on site at 450 Bernard. The proposal will go to Kelowna‘s advisory planning commission on Tuesday. “It‘s a substantial departure from what has been envisioned in the current zoning,” said city planner Paul McVey. The advisory planning commission can make recommendations, but it‘s up to city council to grant approval. Council has advanced a controversial development plan in another section of the downtown to a public hearing. The proposal for 13 new highrises in the Lawrence-Leon corridor is the subject of a public hearing today.
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