A digital rendering of the proposed design for the City Gardens development. (Image Credit: Keystone Architecture / Kelson Group)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

NEW DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

Kelson Group plans to build more than 400 living units in downtown Kamloops with ‘City Gardens’

Sep 21, 2020 | 5:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kelson Group purchased about 3.5 acres of land in the city’s downtown three years ago, and on Monday (Sept. 21) the company revealed plans to bring a new, five-building development to the area.

President Jason Fawcett says the $140 million dollar project would feature hundreds of living units.

“That would include two high rises that are 18 and 22 stories each that would be concrete construction. And then we’re looking at three wood frame buildings that would be four and five stories that would be rental buildings, and then we’re also looking at some townhomes as well.”

The design concept would bring over 435 units to the area between Battle and Nicola Street in the 400- and 500-blocks. Dubbed ‘City Gardens’, the development would also bring green park space, walking paths and around 600 underground parking spaces.

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“There is still great demand for housing in Kamloops right now. The vacancy rates for apartments is still very low and we know from our downtown properties that lots of people do want to live downtown. And some people are interested in buying, some people are interested in renting.”

According to Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian, the amount of living space City Gardens would bring lines up well with the city’s KamPlan in regards to downtown and accommodating future population growth.

“If you’re looking at an average of two persons in that kind of accommodation, you’d see 1,000 additional bodies in the downtown core area. Most of the growth in Kamloops will still occur in the southwest sector but as we do expand there we want to make sure that we are focusing on our downtowns both here and on the North Shore, and looking for densification in both of those areas.”

Fawcett says the Kelson Group wants to go before council for a development permit by the end of this year, with construction estimated to begin in the spring of 2022.

“Our first steps are to consult with the community and that’s part of our announcement today,” he explains. “We’re hoping to get feedback and info about what people think of it. What they like and might not like, and maybe some things that we might be missing.”

However, it will be some time before residents see the new high rises join the city’s skyline, as the entire project would take six to seven years to complete.