Council approves bidding process for demolition of Daily News building

Apr 25, 2017 | 5:20 PM

KAMLOOPS — A bidding process has been approved by city council for the demolition of the old Kamloops Daily News building at 393 Seymour Street. 

Although a number of Kamloops residents voiced their opposition to the demolition of the old building, council voted to begin the bidding process for demolition, and design process for a proposed parking lot. 

Several councillors cited a lack of downtown parking as a reason for the decision. 

“The issue is not one of hourly parking,” said Councillor Ken Christian. “The issue is one of monthly parking, and this proposal would allow for additional monthly parking … It’s merely going to allow us to hold our own because of developments that are occurring on existing parking lots downtown.” 

The downtown is set to lose 114 parking spots as a result of new developments. 

Once the demolition bidding process is complete, city council will still have the opportunity to move in a different direction should the costs be too high. 

Councillor Denis Walsh voted against Tuesday’s recommendation, saying there is plenty of unused parking available for employees to rent. 

“What we need to revitalize our downtown is more development, more housing, more amenities and more reasons to come downtown, more people living downtown, and a surface parking lot does not answer any of those requirements,” Walsh said.