Penticton residents invited to give feedback on vision for North Gateway revitalization plans

Photo: Contributed

Concepts for Penticton's North Gateway revitalization plan are now available for the public to view and provide comment on.

The city has been working on the plan for the northwestern tip of Penticton since spring 2021, seeking feedback from landowners, stakeholder groups and the community.

Engagement activities concluded with a design charrette over several weeks before the new year, and now, final concepts and proposed land use are ready for community consideration.

"The ideas in the plan will see the North Gateway transform into a vibrant community over the next 20 to 30 years as envisioned in the Official Community Plan,” said general manager of community services Anthony Haddad.

“People from all walks of life will experience its cafés and outdoor patios, eye-catching art, events and festivals, eclectic shops and vibrant businesses, attractive and diverse housing, pathways for pedestrians and bikes, and recognition of the Syilx Okanagan connection to the land, all set in our beautiful natural environment.”

The North Gateway plan includes recommendations such as planning the community around three separate districts, incorporating three unique gateways with attractive landmarks, supporting transportation along Eckhardt, Power and Westminster and creating a "festival boulevard" connecting Power Street and Burnaby Avenue.

Residents and businesses in the area will receive a letter in the mail regarding opportunities to provide feedback.

All other citizens interested in the project can view the materials and complete a survey on shapeyourcitypenticton.ca, now until Feb. 20.

In the lobby of the Community Centre, take a self-guided tour of the North Gateway project, and two online information sessions on Feb. 9 and Feb. 17 will also be held between 7 and 8:30 p.m.

“Through this review, we want to confirm we are headed in the right direction and identify anything we have missed,” said Haddad.

“With the feedback we gather, we will finalize the plan and share it with Council for a decision in the spring.”

The plan is long-term, depending on support from the public and council. If implemented, it will involve partnerships between the City of Penticton, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Penticton Indian Band, landowners and the development community over the next several decades.

“The proximity to amenities like the South Okanagan Event Centre and Penticton Trade & Convention Centre create a unique opportunity for the City,” said Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki.

”Council is very impressed with the vision and the ideas that have been put forward to date for this special area and we look forward to hearing the views of the community.”