Council advances downtown improvements

PENTICTON – Another step forward for the downtown Penticton revitalization project at today's, Jan. 12, council meeting.

Phase one improvements to Main Street were advanced with the adoption of a bylaw that will establish a local service area in addition to giving the go ahead to construct street improvements in the first phase.

Council also endorsed an application to a federal government grant program. If successful, the money would be used for Main Street upgrades from Lakeshore Drive to Nanaimo Avenue.

Known as the North Green, it's the next phase in the multi-year revitalization project includes water and sewer upgrades in addition to electrical improvements in Gyro Park.

“The electrical upgrades will allow vendors setting up in Gyro Park to utilize city power, rather than relying on generators, for improved safety,” city communications cfficer Simone Blais says.

Changes also include wider sidewalks and a reconfiguration of the roadway through Gyro Park to allow for temporary closure of the park to vehicles.

The North Green phase has been approved in this year’s budget, which has also been approved but not passed by council. Work is not expected to begin until fall as discussions between downtown businesses and the city resulted in an agreement not to conduct the work during summer months.

More than $8-million has been spent in new development by the city and through private investment in the downtown core since 2011.

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