Bernard Avenue Revitalization
What's new
A bulletin to stakeholders and interested community representatives was provided in July 2010.
Visit our blog at Bernard Blog
to share your comments and see what others are saying about the revitalization of Bernard Avenue.
View the results
of an online survey conducted to receive input from the community regarding the design of Bernard Avenue Revitalization.
Introduction
The Kelowna Downtown Plan was approved by City Council in 2000. This document set out a vision for the rejuvenation of Kelowna’s central business district. Among its recommendations was an upgrade of Bernard Avenue from Richter to Abbott Streets, to make it more visually pleasing and to give it more emphasis as Kelowna’s “Main Street.”
In 2003, City Council endorsed the Kelowna Downtown Streetscape Study. This document advanced a vision for the physical character of streets within Downtown. Consistent with the Downtown Plan, it identified Bernard Avenue as Downtown’s principal street and as such, set forth direction for a high level of aesthetic treatment.
Road Improvements & Utility Replacement
The underground utilities along Bernard Avenue are nearing the end of their useful life and the road is in need of upgrading. As these upgrades must be completed in the near future, it is timely to begin the design process to upgrade the aesthetics of Bernard Avenue. These aesthetic improvements could include wider sidewalks, a coordinated complement of street furniture, as well as more trees and vegetation.
Public Consultation
The City of Kelowna, in partnership with the Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) is engaging stakeholders around the many issues that are involved with a project of this scope.
A start-up meeting was held January 18, 2010 to seek input from stakeholders into the design of possible street improvements along Bernard Avenue. Two additional workshops and two open houses were held since the initial meeting.
The two public open houses were held, May 30 at Parkinson Recreation Centre and June 4 at 450 Bernard Avenue.
Visit Get Involved to see what opportunities are available and details of the recent workshops. Everyone has a voice in a revitalized Bernard Avenue.
Schedule
The design phase of the project has started and is expected to continue through the spring of 2010. Preparation of construction documents would take place through summer and fall, 2010. Ultimately, it is hoped that a package of improvements can be agreed upon that will allow construction to commence at a future date.
Contact:
Patrick McCormick
City of Kelowna
Planner Specialist
250 469-8605
pmccormick@kelowna.ca.
John Perrott
Executive Director
Downtown Kelowna Association
250 862-3515
info@downtownkelowna.com
