Image Credit: City of Kamloops

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: ‘Big Moves’ in Downtown Centre Plan a mixed bag

Oct 29, 2019 | 4:54 AM

KAMLOOPS — THE ALMOST FINISHED DOWNTOWN CENTRE PLAN goes in front of City council today for a look and it includes plenty to think about.

If you don’t have the fortitude to absorb all 143 pages plus appendices, skip past the annoying jargon such as “precincts” and “housing stock” and on down to the “Big Moves” section starting on page 84.

The most interesting stuff has to do with the downtown core.

For example, planners refuse to let go of the 4^th Avenue plaza idea. Supposedly, it will be an “animated, lively public space” but, in fact, it simply can’t be sustained on either a permanent or seasonal basis.

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Besides, the idea will become irrelevant if another “Big Move” takes shape. That’s the former Value Village property on Seymour Street, which will be transformed into a civic plaza and public market if private-development plans go well.

Another Big Move item is the performing arts centre proposed for the old Kamloops Daily News property. That one holds the most near-term promise, and would indeed be an exciting addition to the city, one that’s been on the books since 2003.

Unfortunately, the downtown plan has little to say about parking in connection with the PAC.

A welcome addition to the plan is an examination of one-way versus two-way traffic on Seymour and Lansdowne Streets.

According to the plan, there’s a need “to increase vibrancy on Seymour Street and increase the pedestrian experience,” a line that must have come from Captain Obvious.

And I must point out one sentence elsewhere in the plan: “Earth tones and natural hues are preferred as the dominant building colour.”

It may as well say, “Boring colours are mandatory.”

Hopefully, when the plan is finalized, it won’t be beige.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He writes five commentaries a week for CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.