With Tolko Mill closure, proposal for Kelowna’s Manhattan Point may set tone for redevelopment in area

A housing project that the developer says may set the tone for redevelopment of Manhattan Point has been submitted to the City of Kelowna.

“With the recent closure of the Tolko mill, it is anticipated that there will be significant redevelopment in this area,” states a letter from MCMI Developments Ltd. that accompanies the rezoning application. “The project has the potential to guide the form and character of this neighbourhood redevelopment in the years ahead.”

Manhattan Point is a small residential neighbourhood nestled between the new highrises on Sunset Drive and the Tolko Mill that closed a year ago and is slowly being dismantled.

It’s not known yet if Tolko plans to keep the mill site as industrial land or if it will try to rezone it for housing.

The 955 Manhattan Dr. proposal calls for a townhouse complex facing Manhattan Drive with a five-storey apartment building at the back of the long lot. It will overlook Jack Brow Park.

“Our inspiration for the design comes primarily from the name of the street, Manhattan," the letter says. “The building form is modelled on the urban brownstone common in established, pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods throughout Europe and North America.”

The letter does not say how many housing units are proposed but does say the entire project will be “fully integrated accessible” and will feature environmentally friendly features such as solar hot water, electric car plug ins, on-demand hot water heaters and low water usage landscape.

The proposal will have to go to a public hearing before the land can be rezoned.

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