Developer trying again to get controversial highrise built in downtown Kelowna

The building planned for the former Kelowna RCMP detachment has been the subject of multiple lawsuits, but now the developer is trying again to get approval from the city. Appelt Properties has resubmitted its development permit application for 350 Doyle Avenue, a 259-unit apartment building it has dubbed the Muse, according to a press release from the developer issued, Oct. 28. Last year the developer filed a lawsuit against the city and a lawsuit against Mayor Tom Dyas for political interference for what its claimed was unfair opposition to the plan. READ MORE: Kelowna Mayor accused of political interference in controversial highrise project https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kelowna-mayor-accused-of-political-interference-in-controversial-highrise-project/it102999 The developer was also caught giving university students $250 to speak in favour of the project at a public hearing, which led to the city cancelling the project in April 2023. Appelt initially designed a 13-storey building, but after receiving feedback from the city it redesigned it into a slimmer 25-storey building. Council approved the 25-storey plan in July 2022 before it was shut down following Dyas’ election as mayor. The Kelowna Legacy Group, which included homebuilder Les Bellamy, and Dyas before being elected mayor in 2022, opposed the redevelopment of the site and said the plan for the entire area should be reworked. “There’s no secret that it’s been a frustrating process, with well-funded, well-organized opponents of the project doing everything they can to prevent its construction," Greg Appelt, president of Appelt Properties, said in the release. "We’re trying to move past the noise and proceed with an application that will bring much-needed rental housing units, a city community centre, an art walk, new dining and entertainment options with year-round vibrancy to the cultural district. "We ask that the City of Kelowna do the same and drop the politics and assess the application on its merits.”  READ MORE: Future of highrise on former Kelowna RCMP site to be decided in court https://infotel.ca/newsitem/future-of-highrise-on-former-kelowna-rcmp-site-to-be-decided-in-court/it101077 The developer has also reportedly spent more than $10 million trying to get the project off the ground. “Simply put, we want to get the Muse built,” he said. Appelt said they will “make all reasonable efforts” to get the project moving forward, and he expects local residents will be supportive. “This project strongly aligns with the major objectives of Kelowna’s Healthy Housing Strategy and will provide over 250 much-needed rental homes downtown,” Appelt said. “Given our company’s repeated and patient willingness to work with the city’s changing requests and the City’s previous support for the project, we urge council to get past the politics and approve this application...  as soon as possible. Any good-faith interpretation of the city’s invitation to resubmit and the city’s own housing policy would affirm that it’s time to move forward.” To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. Find our Journalism Ethics policy here. https://infotel.ca/newsitem/code-of-ethics/it106782 We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .