One item mentioned in Oliver’s Strategic Plan is the possible future relocation of the Town Hall. Council will develop a business case for such a proposal in 2017. Relocation considerations include the old court house building, Station Street or somewhere else on Main Street. File photo
The game of chess is all about strategy, and the Town of Oliver will be making some big moves in the next two years.
These moves (goals) are clearly identified in its recently adopted Strategic Plan. It outlines many priorities, including redeveloping Station Street, reducing vacancies downtown, developing a crime enforcement strategy, and possibly relocating the Town office.
Under community enhancement, the Town will move its “knight” to adopt a Parks and Trails Master Plan to set direction for the next 10-20 years. In addition, it will adopt a business case to determine the location best suited for the Town office in 2018.
Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Cowan said there is currently no proposal to relocate the Town Hall, but there is direction to develop a business case starting in 2017 to determine the best location for Town headquarters.
“Some location considerations would include the old courthouse property, Station Street and Main Street,” Cowan said.
She stated no decisions have been made with respect to the current building, however, the Town will engage the community throughout the development of the business case.
“One of the items that we will be asking is if the Town office was to relocate what would they consider as a good use for this building?”
The goal to encourage downtown revitalization will see council move its “bishop” to engage the business community to improve storefront facades.
The Town will continue to provide incentives for the development of a hotel, and it will work with the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and the business community to reduce the number of vacant storefronts downtown.
Another goal is to continue to cultivate the arts community by supporting artwork and performances in public places.
Using its “rook,” the Town will adopt a bylaw to close vehicle access to the highway (from Station Street behind the Oliver Legion). This is intended to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety.
The Town will engage the community and build upon the Wine Village Core Area Concept Plan to redevelop Station Street.
In 2018 the Town will complete a Centennial RV Park business case to determine the best use of the property.
Two high-profile Station Street projects will be identified next year.
Under asset management, the Town will move its “pawns” into position to optimize the life of the irrigation canal system, and in 2017 it will undertake a study to determine traffic calming measures to enhance road infrastructure and the safety of pedestrians.
Under policing, the Town of Oliver will move its “queen” into position to develop a crime enforcement strategy for a safer community.
And its “king” will be moved to develop a tax strategy for when the Town reaches 5,000 population, at which time Oliver will be responsible for 70 per cent of policing costs.
By Lyonel Doherty
