Pathways Abilities Society proposes housing complex

A society that helps people with developmental disabilities has plans for a new downtown residential complex.

Pathways Abilities Society will hold an open house on the four-storey project at the proposed building site, 555 Doyle Ave., on July 26.

After that, the plan will be forwarded to city council for the necessary rezoning. The project consists of five storeys with 68 affordablehousing suites.

In past years, the Fuller Avenue building housed a workshop that employed people with developmental disabilities. But Pathways has moved its operations elsewhere, with the intent of redeveloping the aging property.

The provincial government has provided the society with a grant to help construct the new affordable housing complex.

Previously known as Sunnyvale and the Society for Community Living, Pathways has been providing vocational training and personal skills development services in Kelowna for 65 years.

The Fuller Avenue site is immediately north of the Kelowna branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on Bertram Street.

Years ago, there was talk about combining the two properties, as well as another nearby one on Doyle Avenue owned by the school district, into a larger redevelopment. But nothing came of the idea.