Upcoming

Lane restrictions

A geotechnical investigation along Bernard Ave. will be underway to inform the  detail design.

Lane restrictions will be in place Sunday, Jan. 22 from 8am to 5pm and Monday, Jan. 23 to Wednesday, Jan. 25 in the evenings from 7pm to 3am.

Public Information Session

An Information Session to see the detailed design and communications plan is being planned for the end of March. Location and date will be confirmed a month in advance. Stay tuned!

Bernard Avenue Revitalization

What’s Happening?

The renewal of Downtown Kelowna will begin with the improvements along Bernard Avenue beginning in September. Focus Engineering, in collaboration with HB Lanarc Landscape Architects, is working through the detailed design for the streetscaping and other infrastructure improvements. Technical considerations for the deep utility work will influence which block the construction will begin on. Project engineers will have completed this analysis by March.

Open during construction

As part of the marketing and promotion of downtown during construction, the It’s Happening marketing campaign will launch in late summer. The focus of this campaign is to create excitement and invite businesses and residents to take part. Businesses are welcome to incorporate the theme in their marketing and promotions and leverage co-op advertising opportunities.

Planning guide for construction

A planning guide, developed in partnership with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, is a must-read resource in helping businesses plan for the construction period. Practical information and tips will help ensure success during construction.

Streetscape character

Following the direction of the approved streetscape concept, the character of the materials and furnishings (e.g. sidewalks, benches, street lights, etc.) will be contemporary in nature. The project landscape architects are working on this right now and will have the details available for viewing at the information session in March.

Parking

Permanent wayfinding signage at key locations will help direct patrons to parking in the downtown. The installation of the parking signage will be in place in the summer of 2012.

Other information resources are available such as an online map parkopedia.ca, which pinpoints parking locations and rate information for private and public parking lots.

Council will consider the options and implications of “free” on-street parking in the downtown area during the construction phase of the Project and staff have been requested to develop a parking plan for the construction workers and the staff of the Bernard Avenue businesses during construction.

A lively and pedestrian-friendly street

As part of creating a lively and pedestrian-friendly street, staff will talk to stakeholders about opportunities for street commerce and programmed activities. After receiving input from stakeholders, terms and conditions will be developed to guide the use of Bernard Avenue for on-street entertainment, merchandising and outdoor café seating. This information is expected to be presented to Council this spring.

Communications during construction

During a session held with business and property owners in October 2011, attendees provided feedback on how they want to be kept informed during construction. A communications strategy has been developed not only to address communications during construction but also to function as a marketing and promotion program to encourage residents and out-of-town visitors to continue to shop and enjoy our Downtown.

This plan will be shared with businesses, property owners and the public in March. In the meantime, keep your finger on the pulse of Bernard Avenue Revitalization news by visiting kelowna.ca and subscribing to e-updates.