DVA Calls For Building Demolition

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 13 August 2012 19:17
  The Downtown Vernon Association is asking the city to tear down the former Vernon Flower Shop building on the corner of 31st Avenue and 31st Street. The business group's Ruth Hoyte and Nadine Wilson say the site across from Cenotaph Park could temporarily create 10 to 12 much needed parking spots, until plans proceed for a new Vernon Public Art Gallery. It's asking the city to include the costs in its 2013 budget. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says the idea will likely have to go to staff to see if it's feasible. "One of the questions would be how much money are you going to put into paving. A lot if that's what is requested, for temporary parking." Council will discuss the request at its next meeting September 10. Councillor Catherine Lord says people can park in the former library lot, which isn't seeing much use. "This will be a block closer, so I assume more people would use it, but we are in strict budget times so whether we can afford to do that next year, that's going to have to come forward with the 2013 budget." Councillor Patrick Nicol agrees the costs of the demolition will be a big factor,  but he adds, the merchants need parking to draw customers. "So you have to be empathetic to any loss of any parking spaces, and if there's a chance to improve that, you have to look at it very seriously, and that's what will happen here." Nicol and other councillors say the demolition cost could be a factor, given the city's tight budget. Art Gallery officials have until the end of the year to determine if they want to use the city-owned site.