New commercial plaza approved for Superstore site

KELOWNA – An empty lot beside the Harvey Avenue Superstore is destined for a new urban commercial development.

After initially rejecting the project for inadequate pedestrian access, City Council approved revised plans today for three single story commercial buildings at 2280 Baron Road. 

Revised designs promise more aesthetically pleasing store fronts, building corners, as well as green landscaping and benches – features that city planners believe will create a more pedestrian centric environment. 

As part of Kelowna's growing midtown urban centre, the site is expected to become a vibrant hub featuring a Keg restaurant in one building. 

Coun. Gail Given commended the developer for including more trees in the Superstore's paved parking areas.

“It's extending improvements to the existing parking lot, adding a lot more green space…minimizing the negative impact of a lot of asphalt,” Given says.

One building will sit at the northwest corner of the site, near Highway 97 and Underhill Road, with the other two buildings at the southwest corner near Underhill and Baron Road.

Another 231 parking stalls will be added to the site.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.