After more than 13 years of vacancy, demolition is scheduled for a downtown Kelowna building that used to house a McDonaldsa国际传媒檚.

sa国际传媒淒emolishing the building is necessary as itsa国际传媒檚 fallen into disrepair from extended vacancy and due to proximity to the creek it doesnsa国际传媒檛 lend itself well to repurposing,sa国际传媒� said Graham Hood, the citysa国际传媒檚 strategic land development manager. sa国际传媒淭his property represents a unique opportunity for future redevelopment and ensuring it is in attractive condition for lot consolidation and future redevelopment options is beneficial to the citysa国际传媒檚 long-range financial and capital plans.sa国际传媒�

Removal of asbestos and lead begins Sept. 21 and demolition is anticipated in late October. Creek protection steps will be taken as part of the environmental mitigation measures and monitoring given that the building is located within the riparian area adjacent to Mill Creek. Invasive Elm trees will also be removed from the property.

The site, at 1746 Water Street, was the subject of a lengthy lawsuit between the City of Kelowna and McDonaldsa国际传媒檚 that was recently resolved in May.

The legal action stemmed from the 2007 construction of revised road alignments for the William R. Bennett Bridge. McDonaldsa国际传媒檚 subsequently ceased operations at the location and claimed land and business losses against the city.

Coupled with last yearsa国际传媒檚 acquisition of the former Husky station at 380 Harvey Avenue, the city is excited for the future development opportunities the site, said

sa国际传媒淎 plan for lot consolidation and future redevelopment options that leverage the sitesa国际传媒檚 prominence at the entrance to both Kelowna and the downtown core will be brought forward for councilsa国际传媒檚 consideration in the coming months,sa国际传媒� said Hood.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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