Council approved the North Gateway Redevelopment and Investment Strategy today signalling the City’s intent to reinvigorate the northwest area of Penticton.
“This is a plan offers a vision for an exciting and vibrant area for residents to live, work and play and comes after much consultation with the community about what they want to see here,” says Mayor John Vassilaki. “We all want to build a stronger Penticton and this plan provides a blueprint on how we can achieve that in a sustainable and livable way.”
The strategy includes plans for boutique shops, wide multi-use paths, tree-lined streets, a variety of housing types, hotels and entertainment and recreation amenities, with the goal of creating the City’s first 15-minute neighborhood.
In particular, the North Gateway will target a variety of housing mixes, including:
- Residential housing supply – from apartments to townhomes – will see 1,750 to 2,250 new units
- Employee housing supply will account for between five and 10 per cent of housing development
The plan also calls for up to 350 new hotel rooms, almost 30,000 sq feet of new commercial space, as well as the addition of two new ice surfaces and expansion of convention space.
“We’re looking to build to the future, to take advantage of the natural advantages of the North Gateway and give an improved impression of the City,” says Anthony Haddad, the City’s general manager of community services. “We’re working closely with Penticton Indian Band on opportunities, especially as it relates to tourism and honouring the Indigenous history of the area. This is a chance for something unique, positive and collaborative that will ripple beyond the neighbourhood.”
The approved plan – which features three districts, three gateways and a festival boulevard - can be viewed at www.penticton.ca/north-gateway.