The City of 琉璃神社 set out a challenge to build the city鈥檚 most sustainable community and two top Okanagan developers have answered that call.

This week Al Stober Construction Ltd. and Mission Group Enterprises broke ground at the Central Green site, 琉璃神社鈥檚 newest master-planned community. With Mayor Colin Basran at the helm on one excavator and Al Stober at the other, the two challenged each other to see who could turn over the most sod.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to transform this key location into the new hub of 琉璃神社, and bring to life the vision of sustainable living the residents of 琉璃神社 have envisioned,鈥� said Jonathan Friesen, CEO of Mission Group Enterprises, in a press release.

Mayor Colin Basran agreed, saying it was great to see this master-planned community taking shape, from the new buildings to the five-acre Rowcliffe Park.

鈥淭he partnership between Mission Group and Stober Construction is turning the City of 琉璃神社鈥檚 vision for Central Green into reality, with high-quality buildings that will become 琉璃神社鈥檚 first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED庐) certified neighbourhood," said Basran.

This master-planned community will transform the corner of Richter Street and Harvey Avenue into an interconnected community designed to promote a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly lifestyle.

The heritage-inspired modern loft homes are the first of three park-side buildings to feature accents of 鈥渟chool-house鈥� red brick, wrought-iron inspired fencing and detailed cornice ledges around the roofline. The architecture pays homage to the original brick 琉璃神社 Secondary School building, Central School and the Boys and Girls Club on the site.

Central Green will be 琉璃神社鈥檚 first community to be LEED庐 certified, combining green building practices with smart growth principles such as development density and proximity to transit.

Mission Group鈥檚 first building will be located on the southeast side of the property and will help to address the need for housing in the downtown area. Starting in the low $200,000s, the park-side homes at Central Green have one, junior two, two and junior three-bedroom living options as well as two-storey loft homes.

As part of the master planned community, over 40 per cent of Central Green鈥檚 land area is reserved for Rowcliffe Park. To be developed by the City of 琉璃神社, the park plan includes a perimeter walking/biking circuit and a field area for informal games and general enjoyment. The Buckland Plaza entrance will feature a children鈥檚 playground, and on the east side will be a small stage for performing arts, adjacent to the first Central Green building off Richter Street. The City anticipates construction to begin in 2017.

ASC purchased the land on the corner of Harvey Avenue and Richter Street across from 琉璃神社 Central School from the City of 琉璃神社 for $6 million in the fall of 2014. ASC will lead development of the mid-rise buildings along Harvey Avenue that will offer both rental housing and commercial spaces.

The first homes at Central green will be ready for occupancy in winter of 2017-18.

Those interested in living at Central Green can contact Heather Blaeser, Licensed Central Green Specialist at 778-581-5800 or heather@centralgreen.ca.