WEST KELOWNA – West Kelowna council has chosen a preferred site and developer for the district’s proposed civic centre.
The location is a weed infested, vacant lot on Elliott Road just off Highway 97 in the downtown core.
Detailed negotiations will now begin with the New Town/Sturgis Group which submitted a proposal for a $8.9 million, 24,000 square foot municipal hall.
The project is to include developer owned residential and commercial buildings and a civic plaza.
Three other proposals were rejected.
“They had great proposals as well but this is absolutely the best site for us, the least risk and a very, very good cost for us,” says mayor Doug Findlater.
Council will have to get approval from local taxpayers to borrow money for the project.
“We don’t know how much at this point because the revenue side will likely include tenants, there’s the possibility of other funding and the fixed price of the construction has yet to be negotiated. So we’re a ways away from nailing down how much we have to borrow,” says Findlater.
If all goes well, the mayor expects construction will start within a year with council hoping the new municipal hall complex will stimulate further development in downtown West Kelowna.
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