Times Chronicle Staff
Oliver town council is revisiting its Station Street master plan now that new information has come to light.
Director of Development Services Randy Houle has reported recent progress in the area including the sale of the lots on the west side of Station Street where a developer is considering a mixed-use project with rental apartments and commercial spaces.
Houle said council applied for a grant to install a xeriscape demonstration garden for the area but has not heard back from the federal government.
The director also reported that a grant application for a $1 million timber-frame pavilion has been denied by the provincial government. In addition, council has put a hold on the Station Street Plaza project due to cost overruns ($1.5 million) despite a $600,000 government grant.
Houle said the Station Street area is beginning to “transform” with new road infrastructure, therefore he recommends that council revisit the concept plan that was adopted more than two years ago.
In 2020, three concept plans were prepared for the revitalization of Station Street. Option A featured a plaza with mixed-use development including shops, residential units and a cafe. Option B, the preferred option that was adopted, featured a plaza with a pavilion designed as a community hub with retail spaces. Option C featured a plaza with a small cafe/kiosk and park space with playground and picnic tables.
Council discussed the issue at its Feb. 27 meeting.
