Photo: MKK Property Corp

It's been a long time coming.

That was the general feeling of city councillors after hearing about updates to downtown's Towne Centre Mall Monday.

The new owners were given the go-ahead to demolish the existing canopy, stucco and slate tile of the Bernard Avenue elevation. It would be replaced with new signage, updated stucco and new brick cladding.

A combination of canvas awnings with signage and an open trellis canopy will grace the front entrance.

"Very, very pleased to see this. I think it's beautiful," said Coun. Maxine DeHart.

"I really like the new name, The District. I think it's upscale."

The changes will closely replicate the design used when Bernard Avenue underwent a revitalization, which was complete four years ago,.

Coun,. Luke Stack said he was encouraged the new owners will be using the large beams in the front, similar to the rest of the street.

"I remember when the downtown streetscape revitalization came, at the time there were some that criticized that look, thinking it wasn't nice enough," said Stack, adding the inspiration for the downtown beams was the Kettle Valley Railway.

"That gave me a positive feeling toward that. Now, to see that same theme carried further into our Bernard streetscape is really great news."