After more than 13 years of vacancy, demolition is scheduled for a downtown 琉璃神社 building that used to house a McDonald鈥檚.

鈥淒emolishing the building is necessary as it鈥檚 fallen into disrepair from extended vacancy and due to proximity to the creek it doesn鈥檛 lend itself well to repurposing,鈥� said Graham Hood, the city鈥檚 strategic land development manager. 鈥淭his property represents a unique opportunity for future redevelopment and ensuring it is in attractive condition for lot consolidation and future redevelopment options is beneficial to the city鈥檚 long-range financial and capital plans.鈥�

Removal of asbestos and lead begins Sept. 21 and demolition is anticipated in late October. Creek protection steps will be taken as part of the environmental mitigation measures and monitoring given that the building is located within the riparian area adjacent to Mill Creek. Invasive Elm trees will also be removed from the property.

The site, at 1746 Water Street, was the subject of a lengthy lawsuit between the City of 琉璃神社 and McDonald鈥檚 that was recently resolved in May.

The legal action stemmed from the 2007 construction of revised road alignments for the William R. Bennett Bridge. McDonald鈥檚 subsequently ceased operations at the location and claimed land and business losses against the city.

Coupled with last year鈥檚 acquisition of the former Husky station at 380 Harvey Avenue, the city is excited for the future development opportunities the site, said

鈥淎 plan for lot consolidation and future redevelopment options that leverage the site鈥檚 prominence at the entrance to both 琉璃神社 and the downtown core will be brought forward for council鈥檚 consideration in the coming months,鈥� said Hood.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on and follow us on .