The Town of Oliver has purchased this property (empty lot with cedar hedges in front) for $162,000 to revitalize the downtown core. It plans to seek input from the public to determine what residents would like to see in this location. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
The Town of Oliver has taken another step in revitalizing Main Street by purchasing a piece of property that has stood vacant for 40 years.
On Monday, Mayor Ron Hovanes announced that the Town purchased the lot between Edward Jones and the Oliver Garden smorgasbord restaurant. The property was the home of Collen’s department store for years until it burned down more than four decades ago.
The Town paid $162,000 for the lot, using its land reserve account.
Hovanes said council plans to solicit input from the public to determine what people want to see in that location. He noted some ideas include a municipal enclave for Town operations, a commercial (retail) development with strata units above, or a parking lot.
The mayor said the goal is to enhance the downtown core and hopefully kick-start other property owners to do the same with empty lots.
The plan is to establish a group of people to brainstorm the possibilities.
