Once again a plan to set up a multi-use development on Wharton Street has fallen through.
In the past three years, two similar proposals for Wharton Street have both failed, although for different reasons.
Both times, the people of Summerland watched with a mixture of excitement and apprehension as the details of the developments were presented.
And both times, there was a sense of disappointment when the plan was abandoned.
The latest proposal, which was abandoned earlier this week, called for four five-storey buildings and included space for a new museum and library as well as residential units and commercial spaces.
The benefits of such a development are obvious.
The library and the museum are both in desperate need of new and larger facilities. Any plan which can accommodate their growing needs should be considered.
The residential units in the proposal could have brought some positive changes to the downtown area.
If people live in the downtown area, the increased activity there could have resulted in a new level of vibrancy for the area.
Now that the development plan has come to an end, it is time for the community to take a look at other ways to meet some of these needs.
The library continues to operate out of an extremely crowded space.
The museum is much too small to adequately house the various artifacts.
These facilities must be replaced quickly. The community cannot wait much longer.
The need for housing units in the area is also a need which will not go away any time soon. As the community grows, it is important to have housing available.
Whether these needs will be met with another version of the Wharton Street development or by another means remains to be seen.
