Legacy group calls for investigation into ‘bait and switch’ on former RCMP site

Now that new development plans have come forward for a highrise on city-owned land in downtown Kelowna, opponents are challenging the ethics of the project.

“Many claim the developer has essentially pulled a bait and switch on the public and on the City of Kelowna, by claiming that they now need a much taller building, which will result in higher rents, in order to make this project happen,” a news release from the group says. “As a result, the Kelowna Legacy Group is raising questions as to whether mayor and council were fooled by the bait and switch, or whether they were aware that this was going to happen when the bidder won the initial request for proposals.”

The former RCMP building, at 350 Doyle Ave., was put out for tender in 2019 with The Rise development group winning the competition to lease the land for up to 99 years.

READ MORE: Development of the former RCMP site in downtown Kelowna moving ahead with RISE

The request for proposals included the stipulation that it not be more than 13 storeys tall. The initial building proposal stuck to that height but showed a structure that was much wider than what the city preferred for highrises. The release says it was 200% wider.

READ MORE: Controversial downtown Kelowna highrise looking to cast widest shadow in town

That initial plan triggered a petition campaign from the Innovation Centre opposed to the shadows the building would cast.

“One of those buildings cast in the shadow of the initial proposal is the Innovation Center or, more specifically, the rooftop patio of the Innovation Center,” the news release says. “The rooftop patio has hosted many special occasions, including Mayor Colin Basran’s announcement in 2018 seeking a second term as mayor.”

READ MORE: Petition triggers redesign of controversial downtown Kelowna highrise

That petition led to a change in design that calls for a narrower building that is 25 storeys tall.

“The Kelowna Legacy Group asks: If the developer is unable to fulfill their commitment within the initial terms of the offering and concessions are being considered, should the process go back to the beginning with concessions offered to all developers?" the news release says. “Certainly, there are many developers in town who would like to look at this option now that the rules have changed. We ask, is there a liability to the City for misrepresentation of the initial offer?”

The group wants the project to be put on hold until an investigation is completed.

The Kelowna Legacy Group was created in the fall of 2019 by residents who opposed the redevelopment of the old RCMP site without first doing a comprehensive plan for redevelopment of the entire “civic precinct” near City Hall, that would include a replacement for Kelowna Community Theatre.

READ MORE: Kelowna group wants to slow sale of old RCMP building in favour of grander plan

Homebuilder Les Bellamy is identified in the release as the group’s media contact and has spoken on its behalf in the past.

The city rejected the group’s call, saying a plan was already in place for the area and went ahead with the request for proposals.

"We believe the average citizen would look at this situation and feel something is just not right," the news release says. "Was the bid won and granted under a set of false assumptions or was this just a bait and switch and perhaps the plan from the beginning? It should raise the question; should taxpayers be concerned that their interests were not represented properly with the lease deal on the Old RCMP Site?"

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