Social housing starting to rise on Central Green site

KELOWNA – Ground-breaking on one of the first phases of the long-awaited Central Green development should take place within a few months after city council approved a long-term lease with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society to develop affordable housing on the site.

In a report to council, Graham Hood, strategic land development manager for the city, said the Chapman Place development along with another at 550 Rowcliffe Ave. by the Karis Support Society will meet the objective for social housing on the Central Green site.

The 60-year lease for what is known as sub area H commits the society to construct and manage the units in conjunction with B.C. Housing which is contributing $1 million towards the development.

The report does not specify how many units will be constructed on the parcel which is part of the former Kelowna Secondary School site. It will be constructed to a LEED certified standard as will all other developments at Central Green.

The site developer now has all development permits in place but requires the land lease be registered against the property before a final development permit can be issued. Construction is expected to be complete in 2016

The city has struggled to develop the high-profile site on Harvey Avenue and was unable to sell the entire site to one developer, attached as it is with requirements for parks and social housing.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infotelnews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.