As city staff continue to work on the city’s Downtown Master Plan, one Kamloops Councillor says there is an area that is often forgotten.

Much of the focus has been on the Performing Arts Centre and the now cancelled BCLC headquarters replacement project, but Mike O’Reilly says the so-called government precinct is “low hanging fruit.”

“Where the Ministry of Transportation Building is at the corner of 6th and Columbia Street, that area is prime for redevelopment,” he said. “City Staff actually spoke with them a little less than a year ago I believe.”

“They’ve kind of got that ball rolling to say, ‘Hey, let’s figure out a plan for this area and look for redevelopment in this spot.’ It’ll be a beautiful spot there.”

O’Reilly was asked what his vision for the area is.

“There are different concepts that could be there,” O’Reilly said. “Little cafes or stores but also a little bit of residential as well as a bit of office because those people still have to have somewhere to go.”

“But it’s really redeveloping that Peterson Creek Park and a linear park and exposing Peterson Creek and allowing it to thrive as well.”

The city is still taking feedback online on their Downtown Master Plan until March 18, with a draft plan expected to go before council later this year.