The challenge has been accepted and the ground is now broken, on what will be Kelowna’s most sustainable community.

Al Stober Construction Ltd. and Mission Group Enterprise took on the City of Kelowna's call to construct a new master-planned community. Ground was officially broken Wednesday for the project.

CEO for Mission Group Enterprise Jonathan Friesen says Central Green will be comprised of socialized housing, ownership condominiums and rental housing.

“The total number of units is yet to be determined because we have development permits for each building but it will be somewhere between 500 and 600 units total,” said Friesen, adding there will be up to seven buildings on site.

The new community will be built on the corner of Harvey Avenue and Richter Street.

Mayor Colin Basran says Central Green will focus on a pedestrian friendly environments and green buildings.

“The City of Kelowna is working on LEED neighbourhood certification for all buildings based on prudent planning,” said Mayor Basran.

The sustainable community features heritage-inspired architecture, a five-acre park, and immediate access to the downtown through a newly planned pedestrian bridge.

“The entire community will be connected directly downtown through a bridge, you don’t have to go over the street,” said Friesen.

More than 40 per cent of Central Green’s land area is reserved for Rowclifffe park, which will be developed by the city and will include a walking and biking trail and a general sports field.

The Buckland Plaza entrance will feature a children’s playground and a small stage for performing arts.

The first building is set to begin construction immediately on the southeast side of the property and will address the need for housing in the downtown. Starting in the low $200,000, the park-side homes at Central Green will have one, two and junior three-bedroom living options as well as two-storey lofts.

The city anticipates construction to start on the rest of the project in 2017.

Photo: Contributed