As a local developer plans a massive housing project in downtown Kamloops, it says it’s willing to help pay and relocate older homes on that block.

Twenty homes between 4th and 5th Avenues and Nicola Street would need to be torn down to make room for “City Gardens.” According to BC Assessment, almost all of the homes on the proposed City Gardens site were built between 1905 and 1915.

Kelson Group president Jason Fawcett says his company would pay $50,000 to help relocate any of those older homes.

“We’re thinking there’s maybe only one or two that it would even be feasible for. Even with that, we’re not even sure it’s feasible. But we would certainly be willing to talk to any interested people who have interest in preserving older homes, and seeing if they can be relocated,” Fawcett tells NL News.

“Our studies have indicated that it’s very hard, but for some people who want to make it a labour of love, maybe there’s a chance.”

Kelson Group is also working with the city and the museum, on a gazebo at City Gardens that would show the heritage of that neighbourhood.

City Gardens proposes to have just over 500 multi-family housing units, which would include a 22-storey and 18-storey tower. Developers are planning to apply to the city for a development permit in just under two weeks.

The Kelson Group is doing an information session tonight on its proposed project, that will go from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. over Zoom.