July 26, 2021 - 4:30 PM Kelowna city council unanimously rejected a proposal today for what could have been the city’s tallest building. The project on Bertram Street, just north of Bernard Avenue downtown, was first proposed to be 46 storeys but was reduced to 35. City staff said it was the wrong height for that location, which had been designated as a transitional site at only 12 storeys. Councillors agreed. “I’m looking forward to voting against this today because I feel it’s a waste of time,” Coun. Ryan Donn said. “If you drop off a 46-storey application in an area that has 12 storeys noted, that’s just a slap in the face.”
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In a statement from the RCMP, they’ve disclosed that the bodies of the four employees of the worksite have been recovered, and the deaths have been reported to their families.
A man who was working at an adjacent building was missing and believed to be trapped under the rubble. Kelowna RCMP declared this man as deceased at a media briefing, bringing the casualty total to five.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, efforts were still being made to locate the victim’s body.
An investigation is currently underway by WorkSafeBC, the BC Coroners Service, and Kelowna RCMP.
Mission Group, the real estate developer behind the Brooklyn site that was impacted, also released a statement in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Three patients were transported to hospital in stable, serious and critical condition.
The City of Kelowna has declared a local state of emergency in response to the threat to people and property caused by the crane collapse.
A 250-foot radius surrounding the building has been evacuated, in case the rest of the crane were to collapse, MacIntosh said.
Kelowna RCMP said the block of Bernard Avenue/St. Paul St/Doyle Ave/ Bertram Street is now closed to the public until further notice.
“If you are in this area, please leave as soon as possible in a safe manner,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy in an emailed statement.