[Spork]

Pedestrian bridge is to be completed by 2016, I believe.

[SpongeG]

the HSBC building on gilmore at Canada Way - completed earlier this year...

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7937/dsc00143w.jpg

this building on boundary has gotten a major reno and new look - will house starbucks and pharmasave - previously was medical or dental offices and had no windows

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/4551/dsc00144w.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8889/dsc00145fs.jpg

all pics by me

[Coldrsx]

Having worked at Gilmore and Lougheed from 2002-2003, I simply cannot get over how different it feels now.

I miss red awning, capital hill, and the greek place east of willingdon all on Hastings.

oh, and Bau Chau

[smho]

Came across a couple rezoning applications from the City of Burnaby website. Can't directly link to it but it's in the June 28th Council Reports->Managers Reports.

1. 37-storey residential tower (374ft) on the SW corner of Nelson and Bennett where there's currently a Kal Tire store.

2. Two options have been presented for the tower on the NE corner of Willingdon and Kingways: either 43-storeys or 37-storeys, with residential floors on top and hotel use below. The previous proposal was for 34-storeys with 22 floors of residential on top of 9 office floors. www.bosaproperties.com has a partial rendering on its home page but don't know if it's for the current proposal, though.

[SpongeG]

ah the one by metrotown will be interesting - well both will

[hollywoodnorth]

well they both are in "Metrotown" . and both will be great if/when they happen.

[red-paladin]

I just moved near the bosa site.
Even the 37 storey building would probably be the tallest in burnaby.
The rendering on the hoarding at the site looks like 37, and it's the same massing but a different design than the one one the website.
43 would be awesome.

[SpongeG]

well they both are in "Metrotown" . and both will be great if/when they happen.

i mean the mall its right at the mall

[vanman]

Thanks for the info. Metrotown still has tons of room for infill it's about time something tall was proposed. And considering the fact that Centrepoint if I remember sold out in a month, the area is always in demand.

[hollywoodnorth]

anyone know more about >> http://avraliving.com/

looks like in the suburbs....but I cant tell where....?

[GeeCee]

anyone know more about >> http://avraliving.com/

looks like in the suburbs....but I cant tell where....?

Somewhere in White Rock (register link on website).. no idea about an address.

[JMan]

anyone know more about >> http://avraliving.com/

looks like in the suburbs....but I cant tell where....?

It's at Johnston Rd and Thrift Ave in White Rock directly across from the Miramar development.

[Spork]

That is one ugly-ass tower. Eugh.

[hollywoodnorth]

It's at Johnston Rd and Thrift Ave in White Rock directly across from the Miramar development.

ah nice... so this lot here >> http://goo.gl/maps/VjWa

[cornholio]

there is plans for a ped bridge i thought - there is also talk of a ferry service like the ones in false creek linking the quay to this rapidly developing area of queensborough

A ped bridge makes no sense as it would need to be either able to open or really really high. Both these would make it costly and unreliable.

In my opinion what should be done is a aerial tramway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_tramway. It can be done for a fraction of the cost and it will be a million times more useful.

The cost would be in the 5-10mill range at the most and a endowment fund of 2mill would keep it maintained and running for ever plus pay for atleast one operator to be present at all times.

With a aerial tramway you would have two cabins, one on each end. Anytime someone needs to get across they just hop on and both cabins go across in about 2min based on the distance.

A fixed ped bridge that wpuld either be tall enough or be able to open sometimes several times per hour would cost im sure 20-30mill + in that location.

Aerial tram you have two towers, rope, two probably small cabins(fit maybe 10 people each, 300pph in one direction is probably good enough capacity).

And it can be built within a few months and you can have bus service conect at each end to make it a feasible commute route.!

You can even extend it now or make it extendable in the future to cross the skytrain guideway and conect up with a future development around 12th and Stewardson way in the hear of New Westminster.

[Spork]

ah nice... so this lot here >> http://goo.gl/maps/VjWa

Across the street from the place marked "Ocean Beads" - just the building that appears to be red. The building marked "Turnabout" will be staying.

[SpongeG]

big boats don't pass through the area where the ped bridge will be it won't have to be that high

its about time we got some ped bridges in the area - calgary has some nice ones

[Mukmuk]

In my opinion what should be done is a aerial tramway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_tramway. It can be done for a fraction of the cost and it will be a million times more useful.


I like this idea, it would also will add something unique to the are!

[vanman]

Looks like a new residential high rise is being proposed on Nelson st near Metrotown. The architect is Buttjes other than that I don't know any other info.

[Xrayal]

I dont know anything about Nelson and Kingsway. However the Jim Pattison Suzuki (was Chevy at one time i believe) Dealer at Grimmer and Kingsway is closing, as per the radio adds. I was at the dealer a couple weeks back and they said the site is going to be redeveloped. Maybe some towers?

[huenthar]

A ped bridge makes no sense as it would need to be either able to open or really really high. Both these would make it costly and unreliable.

Nonsense. It won't need to be any higher than the Canada Line bridge (which already has a pedestrian/bike overpass of its own) - it's on the same arm of the river...

besides, an aerial tramway would need to be higher than a bridge (the cable would sag in the middle). Personally, I think I'd just prefer a bridge, maybe right above the existing rail bridge.

[tybuilding]

Noticed this on the Berezen Website:

Langley, British Columbia Canada

Plans are underway to develop a multi phased project in the Willowbrook area which includes commercial, office and residential buildings. The project is under design development with the Township of Langley as this going to be the first high rise in the area. The project involves developing a long term sustainable building which would integrate with the neighbourhood and local community development plans. The first phase of the project includes 2 high rise residential towers with an office and commercial floors.

Other Land development projects in Langley to be updated soon.

http://www.berezandevelopments.com/projects.html

[SpongeG]

its been mentioned could be interesting

[SpongeG]

Burquitlam development approved

Clarke Road project will feature highrises, townhouses and a grocery store

By Jennifer McFee, Coquitlam NOW July 21, 2010

A building boom is about to begin in Burquitlam to prepare for an anticipated Evergreen Line station.

Coquitlam council approved a development permit and zoning amendments Monday for a mixed-use high-density project that will include two highrise towers, six townhouses, three retail units and a grocery store in the 500 block of Clarke Road.

Co-applicants Bosa Properties and Safeway have been working diligently to make this project a reality, said city planner Erica Tiffany.

"We would like very much to see this application move forward because it's a critical element to achieving the transit village commercial uses around the future Evergreen Line light-rail ALRT station," Tiffany said. "It's going to be a catalyst for the Coquitlam neighbourhood plan."

Before going ahead with the project, however, Bosa must meet two conditions: find a loading space for the first tower and identify additional off-street parking spots.

Since the development will be near the future Burquitlam Station, Coquitlam's transit-village policy allows for a 30-per-cent reduction in onsite parking. Bosa requested a 20-per-cent parking variance, bringing the required spaces down to 604 from 695.

Coun. Mae Reid is concerned this reduction could set a precedent for future developments, which could leave the site short hundreds of parking spots.

"Maybe the person living in that apartment doesn't have a car, but they might actually know another person on the planet who might have a car to drive and visit them," Reid said. "At least they'd have a place to park ... It's going to be a nightmare for us."

Like Reid, Coun. Lou Sekora believes the developer needs to deal with parking concerns.

"My heart will not bleed for them at all ... They'll build. They'll sell. They're gone," Sekora said.

"Who's left with the headaches? The residents of this community and we are, as councillors."

However, Mayor Richard Stewart said it would be wasteful to provide too many parking spaces since they will sit vacant once the Evergreen Line is built.

"If we don't think SkyTrain is coming, let's not approve this rezoning because it's inappropriate if SkyTrain isn't coming. But we know it is. We know SkyTrain is coming," Stewart said.

"We're working with staff right now on that, and that means we can't be building a bunch of empty parking spaces. It's a waste of resources."

While Coun. Selina Robinson empathized with the anxieties of her fellow councillors, she said the project needs to move forward now.

"We're also moving into, I believe, a different generation ... Some families will continue to have two cars, but really there are many families who only have one and some have none," Robinson said.

"With a transit-oriented community, with SkyTrain there, we're trying again to predict and look into a crystal ball. I think that given that we're not the first community to do this, I think this is a pretty safe bet that it will be OK."

...

Read more: http://www.thenownews.com/Burquitlam+development+approved/3304321/story.html#ixzz0uOFJO4mj

[vanman]

Edmonds pool is on the way

By Janaya Fuller-Evans, Burnaby Now July 28, 2010

It won't happen this year, but people in the Edmonds area will soon have their very own pool to beat the summer heat.

Funding for the new Edmonds Pool and Community Centre was approved by city council at Monday night's meeting.

The project is estimated to cost $46 million plus HST, bringing it to $52.52 million.

The Edmonds neighbourhood is one that really needed a new facility, according to parks, recreation and cultural services director Dave Ellenwood.

"The neighbourhood is growing and rejuvenating," he explained. "A need was identified in recreation studies for a new pool there."

The pool is only one-third of the new 90,000 square foot centre, which includes community space and a double gymnasium.

It will be a six-lane, 25 metre lap pool, he said, with space for lessons and public use, as well as competitive swimming. There will also be a leisure pool, hot tub and sauna, according to a city staff report.

The double gym will provide more space for badminton, basketball and floor hockey, Ellenwood said.

"The gymnasium right now is quite small," he said. "There is a critical need for dry floor space throughout the city."

A multipurpose area is also included in the plan, as well as space for childcare, studio space, a youth centre, martial arts, and space for seniors. A fitness room is also included.

The new centre will be about double the size of the Bonsor Recreation Complex, he said.

Bonsor currently has about 3,000 visits per day, and earns $1 million per year, from patrons, according to Ellenwood.

It was the last community centre built in Burnaby, in the late '80s.

"We haven't built anything since then," Ellenwood said.

While there is a need for the new centre, Ellenwood said, there has not been a dramatic increase in use of community facilities and pools in the city.

"It is not necessarily growing by leaps and bounds," he said.

But more pool space is needed to meet use demands, Ellenwood added, particularly in the Edmonds neighbourhood.

"It is a good place for the pool," he said. "It will be used by a lot of people there."

The construction portion of the project is estimated to be $38 million.

The city is preparing to award the construction contract in September, so the demolishing and excavation phase of the project can begin in the fall.

The city is approaching nine pre-qualified general contractors in August to determine which bidder will get the project.

The project also includes 200 parking spaces, which will require street upgrades, according to the staff report.
© Copyright (c) Burnaby Now
http://www.burnabynow.com/news/Edmonds+pool/3332083/story.html

[hollywoodnorth]

http://www.burnabynow.com/news/Edmonds+pool/3332083/story.html

so I assume this is going to be a rebuild of the EASTBURN rec center on Edmonds Ave.....or will this be a new location such as the Old Library site on Kingsway? I assume the Eastburn site but its not started in the Article...

I'm gonna guess that a Bonsor Expansion would be next up on deck....or a rebuild of Cameron.

[officedweller]

Update on New West's Waterfront Park:

Wharves first to go

By Theresa McManus, The Record
July 28, 2010

The aging Westminster Pier deck is being demolished to pave the way for a future waterfront park.

Dugal Purdie, project manager of the Westminster Pier Park project, said the project is proceeding according to schedule.

"The marine contractor is working away," he said. "He is working on deck demolition. He started pulling up the old timber, which he is planning to recycle."

The timbers started coming out after the asphalt surface was removed from the site. At the same time that demolition of the aging deck is being done at the waterfront site, city staff and consultants are working on the design.

"The design is not yet complete, the detailed design," Purdie said. "We are at something called the 75 per cent review stage."

Some residents have wondered why pile driving has yet to begin at the site, questioning if it's related to delays in environmental approvals.

"The pile driving can't start until we demolish the old wharf," Purdie said. "They have started with the asphalt. That is being removed. Now they are pulling up the timbers that formed the deck."

According to Purdie, the demolition of the deck and the piling and decking work to come are part of one large contract that the city has awarded. The project will include two types of piling.

Purdie said the timber piles that will be used to help stabilize the site will be the first to go into the ground and water.

"There is literally thousands of them going in," he said. "They literally drive them in like a pin cushion."

Steel piles will also be required to support the new concrete deck on which portions of the park will be located.

Christopher Bell, who has been critical of some aspects of the project, including costs and environmental issues, remains concerned about the brownfield site. He questioned why environmental testing continues to be done regarding the site's groundwater.

"My question is, what is going on?" he said. "They are testing for the groundwater, which is terribly toxic."

Purdie said there are "staged approvals" that have to be followed as the project proceeds.

"FREMP (Fraser River Estuary Management Program) approval was issued," he said. "That was issued before we awarded the contract. That set out the requirements. We are now making sure these requirements are followed by the letter."

Bell expressed concern that the ongoing environmental testing being done at the site may indicate problems.

Purdie said there are several different aspects to the brownfield site's remediation, including removal of contaminated soil in certain places where it exceeded residential standards. Groundwater testing, sediment testing and vapour testing are also required during the process.

Now that the contaminated "hot spots" have been removed, further testing is being done to the groundwater to assess whether the removal of toxic soil has had any impact on the groundwater.

© Copyright (c) New West Record

West Van project from North Shore News:

West Vancouver unveils Wetmore site plans

Seven-storey seniors' facility will go to community meeting

By Kerry Blackadar, North Shore News
July 28, 2010

http://www.nsnews.com/business/3333015.bin?size=620x400

An artist’s rendering of the seniors’ development proposed for West Vancouver’s Wetmore site.
Photograph by: illustration, Walter Francl Architect Inc.

West Vancouver's Marine Drive could be home to a new seven-storey, 126-unit seniors' residential development on the long-vacant Wetmore Motors site.

On Monday evening, District of West Vancouver council directed staff to organize direct community consultation in September about the proposal for the site immediately west of the community centre at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and 22nd Street. The property was acquired by the district in 2001 for $5.56 million in order to control the type of development on it.

Plans for development of the property have been handed to Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities, a company that was just in the news as the developer of the 11-storey seniors rental facility on Mount Seymour Parkway approved by District of North Vancouver council July 12.

Under the terms of the deal, West Vancouver will receive $14.5 million for a 125-year lease of the property.

District employees admitted Monday that initial public reaction to the proposal has been split. According to Bob Sokol, director of planning, lands and permits, "There are concerns about the impact that this project would have on parking near the community centre and also some concerns about the height of the building."

The new building, if approved, would cover approximately 132,000 square feet, and stand seven storeys tall at the front end, sloping to six storeys at the back. The developers have, however, included plans to minimize the structure's visual height by stepping back the top two storeys.

The proposal also includes extending a part of the project into John Richardson Park. In exchange, a new north-end walkway would be constructed, allowing for pedestrian crossover from the West Vancouver Community Centre to John Richardson Park and up Marine Drive.

This walkway, together with a proposed new sidewalk along the building front, and the inclusion of several green initiatives to a LEED gold standard, such as the reduction of potable water use and heat recovery from the roof of the building, were enough to sway council on Monday night.

"I think we should take a very serious look at providing this to the community," said Coun. Bill Soprovich, citing the need for greater accommodation for seniors, and noting that the venture would also provide ample financial return, with the municipality's Endowment Fund going back up to as much as $25 million.

Coun. Shannon Walker agreed. "I am very supportive of getting this going through the process, it has been a long time coming and I think we are anxious to get the public consultation under way so that we can provide some additional housing in the neighbourhood."

After the public process in September, the proposal for development will be re-examined by council in October, and likely move forward to a formal public hearing before final consideration by council

"There will be a number of steps that will involve public consultation," including lane closures, park exchange bylaws, OCP bylaw amendment, rezoning, as well as design and development approval, said Sokol.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

[vanman]

so I assume this is going to be a rebuild of the EASTBURN rec center on Edmonds Ave.....or will this be a new location such as the Old Library site on Kingsway? I assume the Eastburn site but its not started in the Article...

I'm gonna guess that a Bonsor Expansion would be next up on deck....or a rebuild of Cameron.


Yeah its a rebuild of the old Eastburn. I think the city has even acquired a few delapidated lots next door to make room for the expansion.hopefully most of the parking is below grade.

Bonsor definitely needs to be expanded and reworked next. I know many people who avoid entirely because it is always so packed.

[SpongeG]

Retail behemoth breaks ground

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/8640aldergroveHighstreet.jpg
The three-level 'Highstreet' retail development in Mount Lehman will be the largest project undertaken in the province in the past 30 years.

Published: August 04, 2010 12:00 PM
Updated: August 04, 2010 1:23 PM

B.C.'s largest retail development in 30 years will break ground in Mount Lehman on Thursday.

The "Highstreet" development will be a 600,000 square foot regional shopping centre on 20 acres at the north-east corner of the recently completed Mt. Lehman and Highway 1 interchange in West Abbotsford.

A Walmart Super Centre and London Drugs will be the anchor tenants of this three-level development.

The primary trading area will be Abbotsford and Aldergrove, with its 171,028 population, according to the 2006 census. Secondary trading area is Chilliwack, Fort Langley, Harrison Hot Springs and Hope, with its population of 91,173.

The developers are Shape Properties, a real estate investment and development company based in Vancouver. Formed in 2005, Shape Properties has become the most active fully-integrated developer in western Canada. Information on the company and this project is available at the website www.shapeproperties.com

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/aldergrovestar/news/99965134.html

[tybuilding]

I came across this today in the APEGBC career listings:

British Pacific Properties
Founded in 1931, British Pacific Properties (www.britishproperties.com) has played a pivotal role in West Vancouver's development, building master planned communities with spectacular views, as well as such landmark projects as the Lions Gate Bridge, Capilano Golf & Country Club and Park Royal Shopping Centre.

BPP is now focused on the planning and development of major portions of its upland properties, which constitute an area of approximately 1000 acres above the Upper Levels Highway between Marr Creek and Horseshoe Bay below the 1200 ft. contour. It is concentrated on increasingly sophisticated urban planning and design concepts, and a continued sensitivity to the natural environment. Working closely with West Vancouver Council and its Official Community Plan, BPP has taken a proactive role in creating an overall vision for the evolution of these new neighbourhoods and securing Council’s approval of The Rodgers Creek Area Development Plan, which when completed will represent over $1 billion in built-out value.

[SpongeG]

Vacant lot in Edmonds may see new life

By Wanda Chow - Burnaby NewsLeader
Published: August 09, 2010 4:00 PM
Updated: August 10, 2010 7:20 AM

After sitting vacant for more than 20 years, the 0.13 hectare site at the corner of Canada Way and Edmonds Street may soon have a new lease on life.

The provincial government is granting the property’s owner, Kamcon Construction, $83,347 to study whether or not the site is contaminated and if so, what needs to be done to clean it up before development can proceed.

The funding is part of $800,000 the province is making available through its Brownfield Renewal Funding Program which aims to stimulate land development and economic activity by encouraging remediation of potentially contaminated sites.

Development of the Edmonds-area site, at 7320 Canada Way, has not proceeded for over 10 years because of the uncertainty over the environmental condition of the site, said Virginia Holden, the province’s manager of brownfield implementation.

Kamran Tafreshi of Kamcon Construction said by email that his company purchased the property in December 2009.

“To the best of my knowledge, the site was a service station from 1970 to 1988. This would have resulted in the concerns over possible contamination.”

He believes the previous owners did some investigations into the site. “However, it seems that the required studies and/or remediations required by today’s standards were not completed. This would be a required step prior to development.”

At about 14,000 square feet, Kamcon believes the site has a high potential for redevelopment and is ideally located for a mixed-use project, likely street-level commercial with residential above, Tafreshi said. Such a project would require rezoning approval from city hall.

Brownfields are abandoned, vacant, derelict, or underutilized commercial and industrial properties, where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/100306154.html

[vanman]

^ Thanks for posting. I always wondered why that site has sat vacant for so long.

[tybuilding]

^ Thanks for posting. I always wondered why that site has sat vacant for so long.

Now what about the lot beside the Hydro building at Edmonds?

[wrenegade]

Retail behemoth breaks ground

The "Highstreet" development will be a 600,000 square foot regional shopping centre on 20 acres at the north-east corner of the recently completed Mt. Lehman and Highway 1 interchange in West Abbotsford.

A Walmart Super Centre and London Drugs will be the anchor tenants of this three-level development.

This is going to be one hell of a project. Glad to see this thing finally starting, Shape has had this one in the pipeline for at least 3 or 4 years.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Now what about the lot beside the Hydro building at Edmonds? That's space Hydro is keeping in reserve for future expansion.

[vanman]

^ I doubt Hydro will ever use up all that land for expansion. I'm hoping that they sell it to a developer who will hopefully then build residential towers and some sort of compact, retail/commercial village.

[Coldrsx]

This is going to be one hell of a project. Glad to see this thing finally starting, Shape has had this one in the pipeline for at least 3 or 4 years.

and with a Walmart and shoppers anchoring it, it will be amazing

[Metro-One]

It was such a nice hot day today that I decided to ride my bike around Maple Ridge and take some pics of new projects completed / UC this year. There are many more than I took pics of but I decided to focus primarily on downtown.

These first ones are not downtown, but they are very close to my house. They are at the end of 232 in Silver valley. These two condo projects have negatives and positives. First, the positive aspect is that they are being built on hilly bedrock and take no land out of the ALR, which is at the base of the hill. They also plan to build a small commercial centre in the area as the project nears completion offering basic convenience services. Th bad thing is Silver Valley is not near downtown Maple Ridge.

This is the west side and is being built by Brighton:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4892218029_853f4bd7e6_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4892218667_d605d4f73f_b.jpg

Then directly across the street is this development:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4892817060_fd9d8c0aa0_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4892219901_97ebaa683e_b.jpg

Now to downtown. Here is a condo infill project on Burnett street near Dewdney:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4892819302_9a081fa66e_b.jpg

Here is a new 2 story office / commercial development at the corner of Lougheed and 224. This is in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge so it is nice seeing this surface parking lot popping up some buildings ;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4892223909_cff7df02ee_b.jpg

Currently, the entire north side of Lougheed from 224th to 222 is being completely redone with wider sidewalks and much better street furniture. Here is the progress so far looking east from 223rd street (you can also see my bike in this one, hehe):

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4892821916_1cf11e1a7b_b.jpg

Here is a new infill commercial building u/c continuing the street wall that has existed along this stretch of Lougheed for a very long time. This building may have residential on top:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4892225455_a65d2d1ea6_b.jpg

Here you can see this building in relation to the Lougheed street improvements:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4892224927_24653a2445_b.jpg

224th, which is the main street of downtown Maple Ridge is also getting a make over:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4892824128_28cab7892c_b.jpg

This section of 224th was done last year and is actually a very inviting place for pedestrians with many nice local shops / restaurants and a park:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4892825120_60fbb81d21_b.jpg

Maple Ridges No 1 firehall was also renovated this year:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4892232621_fb05fcb2ef_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4892233071_4cbbef46aa_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4892233585_8f9d389011_b.jpg

Maple Ridge is far from a great urban example, but in the last few years it has made many strong steps forwards.

And this is where Vancouver suburbs differ from many American suburbs (such as those in Phoenix). Our suburbs are just as old, if not older than Vancouver, and they also have a lot of history in them and pride.

All pics are my own!

Cheers

My flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30634635@N03/

[wrenegade]

I posted this in the North Vancouver discussion but thought it should be here too as it's a pretty sizable project. Anthem has started marketing their "Local on Lonsdale" project at 17th & Lonsdale (Extra Foods site) in North Van. 20 storey tower, 6 storey podium with a 52,000 sq. ft. grocery store. This thing is going to be pretty big for Central Lonsdale. I'm excited to see it moving forward.

[Coldrsx]

^was this the one that was forever stalled and rejected?

[SpongeG]

McBarge leaving for Mission

By David Marsh - Burnaby NewsLeader
Published: August 20, 2010 4:00 PM
Updated: August 20, 2010 4:16 PM

http://raven.b-it.ca/portals/uploads/burnaby/.DIR288/100825-McBarge2.jpg

For years little more than a location for Hollywood horror movies, Burnaby's unique floating McStudio is soon to get towed away.

A West Vancouver-based developer plans to haul away the so-called McBarge, the floating restaurant McDonald's built for Vancouver's Expo 86, to Mission in order to transform it into "the number-one dining and tourist attraction in the Fraser Valley."

The barge has been sitting mostly idle in the Burrard Inlet at the foot of Burnaby's Capitol Hill since about 2000. It had been towed there when the B.C. government cancelled its lease to operate in Vancouver's False Creek at the old world's fair site.

Around that time developer Howard Meakin and his wife purchased the vessel from McDonald's, eyeing its long-term business potential. Over the past 10 years, however, Meakin said its use has mostly been limited to renting it out to Hollywood studios shooting films in the Lower Mainland -- often of the horror/suspense variety, owing to the barge's currently dank, neglected interiors.

But Meakin plans to put $5 million into rebuilding the old boat -- originally named the Friendship 500, and said to have a lifespan of 100 years -- into a new facility hosting three dining establishments, a float-plane service and a base for fishing guides.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/101196739.html

[SpongeG]

Elite sports centre back on track

By David Marsh - Burnaby NewsLeader
Published: August 23, 2010 4:00 PM
Updated: August 23, 2010 4:07 PM

After nearly two years of delays, a new, high-level sports training and rehabilitation centre in central Burnaby appears to be back on track.

Construction of the $54-million Multi-Sport Centre of Excellence could be resumed as soon as November, according to the centre’s president Loyal Makaroff, as the project overcomes delays caused by the global economic downturn.

Makaroff said the centre will begin a public campaign next month to raise the remaining funds needed for the foundation that owns the facility and its property, at Sprott Street and Kensington Avenue, near Burnaby Eight Rinks.

At that time a group of high-profile athletes will be announced who will sit on the athletes’ advisory board for the centre. One of those will be professional basketball star Steve Nash, a Victoria native.

The 160,000-square-foot centre will comprise state-of-the-art sports conditioning, rehab and medical facilities. It will also feature retail outlets, an athletes’ village for those using the facility’s services, and a “human performance laboratory” for assessing athletes’ conditioning levels.

Makaroff said the metro Vancouver area currently lacks such a “one-stop shop” for athletes. He said it plans to serve ordinary citizens as well as professional sports teams and athletes.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/101340489.html

[SpongeG]

Pitt Meadows wants casino

By Monisha Martins - Maple Ridge News
Published: September 02, 2010 2:00 PM
Updated: September 02, 2010 4:39 PM

Pitt Meadows council wants a casino and convention centre in the city, perhaps built on an unused swath of commercial land along Lougheed Highway originally slated for a mall.

Coun. John Becker asked the city to send a letter to the province on Tuesday expressing its interest in a gaming complex and requesting that a feasibility study be done.

Council supported him.

“It’s not necessarily a singular vision of council that there be a Las Vegas North here in Pitt Meadows, but certainly the economic benefits to the community are very significant,” said Becker, adding that the city has been “on record” as being receptive to a gaming facility for several years.

A representative from the B.C. Lottery Corporation even spoke to council six years ago during its annual retreat.

At that time, council told the corporation it was interested in a casino. But the province reserved comment until transportation routes to Pitt Meadows improved or the Pitt River and Golden Ears bridges were built.

Becker is eyeing the North Lougheed commercial strip as a site for the casino-convention centre.

Smart!Centres, whose tenants include Walmart and Home Depot, owns a large chunk of land stretching from Harris Road to Meadows Gardens Golf Course along the highway and wants to build a mall on the site.

Walmart, however, will not be the mall’s anchor tenant as originally expected, as the retail giant is set to open across the Pitt River in Port Coquitlam.

As a result, Becker said, the city needs to have a clear understanding of what its options are now.

“The shopping centre thing may not be viable,” he added, noting the casino could help pay for a much-needed overpass at Lougheed Hwy. and Harris Road, as well as provide high-paying jobs.

“The jobs in there are certainly better than the standard retail service sector. Better than Walmart.”

Becker said Pitt Meadows isn’t interested in a “gaming centre”, a facility proposed to replace the Haney Bingo Plex in Maple Ridge that would house bingo, dining as well as electronic table and slot machine games.

“We are thinking on a somewhat grander scale,” he said. “It will come with issues. Some people are just philosophically opposed to the whole notion of gaming, but I am not one of them.”

Mayor Don MacLean supports the casino plan, especially if it includes a hotel and convention centre that could hold between 300 and 500 people.

“I don’t think it would be a very good use of land unless we could combine it with a convention centre,” MacLean said.

The idea is also drawing praise from the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce, which has been calling for a conference centre in the area to siphon off some of the business from Vancouver.

The chamber has been working on a plan that looks at the vision, management and economic impact of such a project.

“Our data shows it’s needed,” said chamber president Jeremy Bekar.

“We need one on the north side of the river with easy access. We have the airport, which is an easy in-out for conventions and meetings.”

The whole idea, though, is contingent on the North Lougheed Connector, a yet-to-be road through farmland for which approval has been languishing with the Agricultural Land Commission since last year.

Environmentalists don’t like the city’s plan for a casino paving over green space.

The charm of Pitt Meadows is that it hasn’t bought into big city life, said Pitt Polder Preservation Society president Diana Williams.

“I would prefer to see smaller, local businesses going in rather than a casino and convention centre,” she added.

“There is already a casino in Coquitlam and one in Langley. I don’t know why we would want this kind of thing in our community. It will bring all kinds of other problems along with it.”

Pitt Meadows’ interest in a casino surprised Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin, as the district is waiting for Great Canadian Gaming Corp. to start its new gaming centre on 227th Street and Lougheed Highway. That project is supposed to be built by 2013 and is to replace the Haney Bingo Plex.

“There are only so many casino licences to go around,” Daykin said.

“What are the chances of success that close to Boulevard [casino]?”

Great Canadian owns that casino in Coquitlam on United Boulevard.

Daykin, though, said it’s possible Great Canadian could change its mind and pull out of the downtown Maple Ridge location in favour of a casino in Pitt Meadows.

“They have been upfront and open with us around this whole process,” he said.

“I’d be incredibly disappointed if they made that change.

Coun. Craig Speirs had similar thoughts.

“I don’t see them getting a licence, quite frankly. North side of Lougheed – I think that’s goofy.”

But Great Canadian Gaming has no plans to build in Pitt Meadows and is committed to Maple Ridge, spokesman Howard Blank said Thursday.

“Our gaming centre is being built in Maple Ridge.”

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/news/102101784.html

[SpongeG]

saw on blobal news that demolition of fantasy gardens in richmond started today - making room for 500 units of housing they said and a possible park

i thought it was going to be a new retail development?

[jlousa]

There will be retail, the plans for the site are up on Townline's site. They will maintain a sizable portion of the gardens as well.

[djmk]

saw on blobal news that demolition of fantasy gardens in richmond started today - making room for 500 units of housing they said and a possible park



somewhere in this province, bill vander zalm is having a good cry.

[DKaz]

I've never ever been there before... kinda sad I didn't.

[tybuilding]

Has anyone heard of those new float homes that were featured on the Global news last week?

[Locked In]

Not really an update, more like a pipe dream... but for people clamoring for more 'fun' stuff around town, this BIV article might be of interest. Actually, maybe this should have gone in the Ferris wheel thread...


B.C.’s Dinotown down but far from out

Owner of theme park plans new Metro Vancouver site prior to embarking on an ambitious global expansion of the Stone Age cartoon entertainment venue

By Glen Korstrom

Reports that the Dinotown amusement park is headed for extinction are greatly exaggerated.

Yes, owner Rob Ell sold the 18-acre cartoon dinosaur theme park east of Chilliwack to developer Tri-R Development Group last year in a multimillion-dollar transaction. Tri-R takes possession of the park at the end of September and plans to build an RV park.

But Ell plans to reopen a Dinotown theme park in either Burnaby or Surrey within the next year. He then wants to franchise his brand worldwide.

“We’re going to take this thing global,” Ell told Business in Vancouver after a weekend when he had three times the number of customers as usual.

“We’re looking for area developers all over the world. We’re looking at China, India and the Philippines. We’re in discussions with people in those countries already.”

...

Source: BIV (http://www.biv.com/)

[Metro-One]

:previous: I really hope Dino-town re-opens in Metro-Vancouver, for if not this will be another loss of variety in our area and one less family attraction. I loved Dino-town when i was a kid (although then it was Flintstone themed). Moving it from the east Fraser Valley, now that it is closed, to Surrey or especially Burnaby would be a fantastic outcome. Having it near the centre of our metro, and hopefully close to transit, would be great for kids and families.

[SpongeG]

thats good news

does anyone remember the small theme park somewhere near Langley? closed down in the 90's

what was it called?

[DKaz]

That'd be cool, my 15 month old will eventually need some good local theme park entertainment. I suddenly have an urge to play mini golf.

[jsbertram]

somewhere in this province, bill vander zalm is having a good cry.

Perhaps they are tears of joy that he was able to pocket $5 Million when he sold the property back in the 90s.

Which came in handy when he was tossed out of office when this shady deal became public.

To paraphrase Zalms testimony during the inquiry: "I didn't think I was in a conflict of interest as long as nobody knew about the deal" to sell fantasy gardens to the taiwan billionaire who was seeking access to government ministers who would smooth over the other business deals he wanted to do in BC.

[vanman]

Another highrise proposal for Metrotown!


COMING SOON

Metroplace is the high urban style you’ve been looking for. A connected location, minutes from downtown Vancouver . A stylish tower, with exquisite city and mountain views. Architecture by Busby, one of Canada’s leading architectural firms, and interiors by Insight Design Group, an award winning Vancouver based Interior Design firm. Metrotown Mall and the Skytrain are only steps outside your front door.


http://metroplaceliving.ca/

[SFUVancouver]

The new Surrey Central library is coming along. This one is a shoe-in for a profile in Canadian Architect once finished.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8421/surreyctrllibraryseptem.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 5th, 2010.

Concord Pacific's Park Place alongside Inifinity. Note the new crane for the commercial/retail building on the left side of the photo.
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7601/parkplaceseptember52010.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 5th, 2010.

Affinity in Burnaby is more or less at grade and should start climbing soon. I just don't see the appeal of this no-man's-land between Holdum and Brentwood. Most of the industrial land is likely to remain as-is and there is nothing within walking distance.
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6625/afinitybbyseptember9201.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, September 9th, 2010.

[SpongeG]

yah seems weird but they have decent long range plans for the area

[invisibleairwaves]

Holdom Station is only like half a kilometre away, well within walking distance for anyone who isn't disabled or lazy. And Brentwood's only about 1km. It ain't downtown, but for suburbia that's pretty damn good.

[SpongeG]

there are no sidewalks though - you have to walk along the edge of Lougheed highway to get to holdom

[vanman]

^ Really? That is ridiculous.

[Xrayal]

Moved the update to the Luma thread.

[officedweller]

There was an ad in The Sun on Saturday for the condo project on No. 3 Rd. between London Drugs and Acqua.

It's called Quintet (there are 5 towers) and it looks as dense as the Olymic Village. The render from the newspaper is not on the website (which has no info - just soliciting those interested).

http://www.quintetrichmond.com/

A copy of the ad is available on-line on Page 36 in this edition of the Richmond Review:

http://issuu.com/richmondreview/docs/09-16-2010

[hollywoodnorth]

very good project thanks for the link

[bulliver]

What's this about "the future home of a first rate Canadian University" in Richmond?

[bils]

What's this about "the future home of a first rate Canadian University" in Richmond?

:previous: trinity western

[bulliver]

I see, thanks. Moving altogether or a second campus? Ah, nevermind, I'll google it :)

[wrenegade]

Anderson Walk (22nd & Lonsdale) sold 28 units their first weekend. Not too shabby.

[rbostyle]

Residents were recently mailed out a Community Plan Amendment, and Rezoning and Development Permit Application for the North Delta Inn Site. The site had seen a number of other applications in the past, and I'm still disappointed that the most recent application (from a few years ago, featuring a couple of stepped towers, with parks, commercial, etc) wasn't approved. And since the main reason that wasn't approved was it's height (of 13 stories for the larger tower), I doubt this one will go anywhere (the tower is 27 stories, hence the community plan amendment, which currently restricts all developments to 14 stories)

And although there is some level of transit connectivity, it seems an odd place to build such a tower (though definitely an improvement on the current use of the site)

http://on.nicholsonroad.com/urban/11920-70a.jpg

http://on.nicholsonroad.com/urban/11920-70b.jpg

http://on.nicholsonroad.com/urban/11920-70c.jpg
(photos are mine)

[SpongeG]

Construction completed on Willingdon Park business complex

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/images/archivesid/40736/50.jpg
CEI ARCHITECTURE PLANNING INTERIORS
The eighth and ninth phases are twin four-storey buildings that add 185,018 square feet to the complex.

Vancouver-based CEI Architecture Planning Interiors has completed construction on the final two phases of the Willingdon Park business complex in Burnaby, B.C., a project that began nearly 25 years ago.

The eighth and ninth phases of the project consist of twin four-storey buildings that will add the final 185,018 square feet to the complex.
Willingdon Park’s nine buildings total almost one million square feet and are spread over 30 acres.

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id40736/

[officedweller]

Anyone know of a new full service hotel in Maple Ridge - see "Current Projects" - 22344 Callaghan Ave, Maple Ridge, BC

http://www.studioonearchitecture.ca/

See also under "Projects" "Master Planning" - 1000 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC

[officedweller]

From the Burnaby NewsLeader - Concord Pacific proposing a tower east of Metrotown - on a consolidated site!! - plus other projects...

Developer proposes Metrotown highrise

By Wanda Chow - Burnaby NewsLeader
Published: September 28, 2010 1:00 PM
Updated: September 28, 2010 1:57 PM

A proposed Metrotown-area development could see seven houses replaced by townhouses and a 19-storey highrise tower, according to a rezoning application to Burnaby city hall.

The site consists of the eight properties at 6566 to 6594 Nelson Ave. and 6565 to 6593 Dunblane Ave. on which currently sit seven homes built between 1946 and 1950, said a city staff report. The lot at 6565 Dunblane and a dead-end lane are owned by the city and would be purchased by the developer for the project.

Older apartment buildings sit on three sides of the site with Bonsor Park to the west.

Concord Pacific Development Inc., the developer, proposes to build a cluster of townhouses along Nelson Avenue with a tower of about 19 storeys located toward the east side of the consolidated lot.

The project would total 147 homes and all parking would be underground with access from Dunblane.

Nearby, another property next to the SkyTrain guideway is being proposed for a four-storey apartment development with underground parking.

Tara Development Ltd. has applied for a rezoning to allow it to build the project on a site that would comprise 4984 Imperial St., currently occupied by a 1951 house, two vacant lots currently owned by city hall, at 4950 Imperial St. and 6861 Dunblane Ave., and a portion of a city-owned Beresford Street right-of-way.

Also in South Burnaby, a strip mall on Royal Oak Avenue, next to the Buy-Low Foods supermarket, could soon be redeveloped into a four-storey mixed-use commercial and residential development.

The property at 7707 Royal Oak Ave. was originally intended to be part of a project currently under construction down the hill at 7777 Royal Oak, dubbed “The Sevens on Royal Oak,” but the developer wasn’t able to purchase it to be part of the previous rezoning application, a city staff report said.

Now that the developer has managed to purchase the land it plans to develop it as a second phase of its Sevens project, with a similar design.

Access to the proposed underground parking would be off Clinton Street.

A public hearing on all the rezoning applications will be held Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in city hall council chambers.

wchow@burnabynewsleader.com

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/Developer_proposes_Metrotown_highrise.html

[jlousa]

Interesting to see Concord moving forward on so many outside the core projects while they still own quite a bit of property inside the core. Perhaps they are waiting for the market to return and plan on buying time marketing cheaper product until then. They certainly know what they are doing.:tup:

[Xrayal]

Well Polygon Development owns the old Sears Automotive Centre, most recently a Kaltire shop. 4860 Bennett Street and 6535 Nelson Avenue. They want to put a Residential tower and street-fronting townhousing on the site. They are currently in the rezoning phase as of July. This street will really change with all these developments in the works.

[SpongeG]

White Rock builder anticipating custom orders

Unique combinations of two apartments -- side by side or above and below -- the promise to Avra purchasers

By Barbara Gunn, Vancouver Sun October 9, 2010

Those involved in the marketing of the 17-storey Avra highrise in White Rock are now focused on the launch of 108 yet-to-be-built residences. But a couple of years from now, when the tower stands high above the slope leading to the water's edge, odds are it will have fewer than 108 addresses.

That's because a number of those who've expressed an early interest in getting in on the Avra action are pondering a move not often played out in the new-condo scene.

They're considering buying a couple of units -- side by side, or one on top of the other -- and having them merged into one. That means that as Avra is constructed, just a block east of Johnston Street, the community's north-south main drag, the design of some residences might be reconfigured. A home of about 700 square feet with one bedroom and a den, for instance, might be joined with its neighbour -- up or adjacent -- and have one less kitchen and one less laundry room, but considerably more space, both within and without.

"I expect that we'll probably have 10 or 15 of those type of homes, " says marketer Cam Good. "It is unusual, yes ... More in this building than any other building I've marketed, we've had people [expressing interest in] putting two homes together and creating a 1,500-, 1,600-square-foot custom home in the sky.

"They're excited about the open-mindedness the developer has about putting homes together ... The developer's able to do it, really at no [extra] cost to the buyer because they save on the cost of an extra kitchen, which compensates for the cost of redesigning, moving walls, that type of thing."

...

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/White+Rock+builder+anticipating+custom+orders/3649196/story.html#ixzz127Y97j00

[officedweller]

There are 3 renders on the Dikeakos wesbite - go to Mixed Use and Avra.

http://www.dikeakos.com/

[sacrifice333]

I like the aerial shot of the two existing towers plus AVRA.

Add in the two yet-to-be-built Bosa towers are you've got a miniature White Rock version of a metropolis!

[idunno]

There are 3 renders on the Dikeakos wesbite - go to Mixed Use and Avra.

http://www.dikeakos.com/

Wow, the render on the left of the homepage is like what Capitol should have been.

[DKaz]

[B]"They're excited about the open-mindedness the developer has about putting homes together ... The developer's able to do it, really at no [extra] cost to the buyer because they save on the cost of an extra kitchen, which compensates for the cost of redesigning, moving walls, that type of thing."

I would hate to be the person design the plumbing of these units... sanitary risers would have to offset to different walls, ugh.

[officedweller]

Of interest - 1000 Quayside Drive, New Westminster is for sale:

http://www.simonlim.ca/current-listings/1000-quayside-drive-new-westminster/

Zoning & Density
The Property is currently zoned C-4 (Central Business District) The intent of this district is to allow pedestrian-oriented commercial, institutional uses and residential uses, supporting the role of Downtown New Westminster as a Regional Town Centre. The maximum density floor space ratio (FSR) is 5.2.

Development Potential
Conceptual development plan contimplate 320 residential units comprising 338,620 square feet within two towers and 101,586 square feet of commercial area. Total conceptual building height is 261 feet (relaxation period). Further concepts include mix of live/work townhouses within the tower bases.

http://www.simonlim.ca/wp-content/gallery/1000-quay/concept-rendering-of-towers.jpg
http://www.simonlim.ca/wp-content/gallery/1000-quay/concept-rendering-of-towers.jpg

[officedweller]

And the property next to River Rock known as Duck Island:

http://www.duckisland.ca/

http://www.duckisland.ca/system/files/Duck+Island+Brochure_Email.pdf

http://www.duckisland.ca/files/intro_photo_lg.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3928/31013730.png (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/31013730.png/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Whalleyboy]

Of interest - 1000 Quayside Drive, New Westminster is for sale:

http://www.simonlim.ca/current-listings/1000-quayside-drive-new-westminster/

thats awesome!
New west is my second favourite place to see grow around here. Also with all there growth it make me hope new west will push surrey to clean up its side of the river quicker.

[LeftCoaster]

And the property next to River Rock known as Duck Island:

http://www.duckisland.ca/

http://www.duckisland.ca/system/files/Duck+Island+Brochure_Email.pdf

Interesting, I saw that about 3 years ago and the brochure was plastered with confidential stamps, so I didnt say anything... When I didnt hear anything about it in the following years I assumed plans had changed or died, but that is the exact same brochure from three years ago. Good to see it is still on the table, although I dont know about its location. It is close to transit which is nice, but sandwiched between a casino, overpasses, the airport and some industrial land. The development was almost big enouigh to be self contained though, so maybe it will be just fine.

[officedweller]

The massing reminds me of condos near the Cambie Bridge in Vancouver - but flanking the Canada Line - and there wouldn't be too much traffic to/from YVR over those bridges at the southern limit of the site at nighttime. There's also a habitat compensation area (marsh) next to the casino parkade.

I guess the main concern would be being under a flight path.

[LeftCoaster]

Yes it is very similar, good call.

My issue with the bridges and overpasses etc was not with the traffic noise so much as the feeling of segregation it would create for the development, making it more of a segregated cell rather than an integrated block in the city.

Not the end of the world or anything, just something to be concerned with.

Also, im sure Jlousa will be displeased at the loss of more prime industrial land... although Richmond is not in quite as dire straights as Vancouver in that regard.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Honestly I am against this proposal for all the reasons you just listed. Does every corner of this metro need to be residential? Does it not make sense to use that parcel, surrounded by a massive casino, a metro hub, industrial lands and the airport, to be used for industrial or entertainment purposes instead?

Residential tower development should be concentrated along #3 road in Richmond (preferably Aberdeen Station and north). Same goes for the River front of Surrey. So what if new West is redeveloping their river front, the Surrey Flats around Scott Road should be kept for industrial uses, if anything, industry should be intensified in this area.

It is great for people to live near mass transit, but for us to be truely successful as a metro people also need to work and be entertained near mass transit. Why not relocate the DinoTown theme park (bigger and better of course) along that parcel of land in Richmond? The casino is already there, as is the transit, perfect for such an entertainment destination. Not to mention the land there is flat (perfect for a theme park), is near an airport (why the hell want to live right beside where planes land and take off all day?) and is a severe flood plain (a theme park being flooded is far better than a residential area!).

Honestly, at one point in the 50s it was decided that every development should be a carbon copy suburban subdivision. At that time it was the be all and end all of urban development, they really thought it was the best solution! How did that turn out? Pretty bad in many respects. Now it seems the be all and end all is for every development to be a mixed use (primarily residential) condo tower. While high density residential living is a good thing, and some mixed use is a good thing, if everything is built this way we are only going to be repeating our mistakes from the suburban sprawl days of the 50s. Of course this time it will be an entirely new set of problems (the death of night life and true entertainment areas, the strangling of our industrial sector through high land values and overly strict operating guidelines, such as strict noise and light bylaws, possibly destroying 24 hour operations, the same goes for the airport, etc...)

Again, I hate to bring up Japan, but if you ever ride the train there while the cities do have lots of mix use (essentially residential and retail together) they also have many areas that are strictly commercial and entertainment. In fact it is often these commercial areas during the day that become the entertainment areas at night (there is a smart mixes use strategy). Also, snugged right in with the city are incredibly dense, intense industrial areas with rapid transit train stations at their door step.

sorry for the rant! :)

[officedweller]

Maybe being under the flight path is why it hasn't been snapped up. I don't see a segregation issue -
it's like the buildings between Burrard and Granville Bridges on the downtown side.

Maybe it can be developed as an office park (after all, that's what YVR has planned across the river)
- wait a second - this is in the brochure (despite the massing render looking like standard stepped residential)

The Plan’s vision is for riverfront oriented non-residential mixed use, including business/office, hospitality, entertainment, civic, education, recreation, and cultural uses with commercial at/near grade along key frontages, plus marinas, boating facilities, and related marine uses.

...

The site falls within the City Centre Area Plan, a subset of the Official Community Plan, that anticipates rezoning the subject property for a mix of medium to high density commercial uses.

Ta-da! - maybe it'll end up like the commercial buildings on Victoria's Selkirk Waterfront area.

[Metro-One]

:previous: Well that is some good news, but that render is poor because it makes it look very residential in nature.

Also, it would be nice for a more creative looking project (perhaps integrating itself with the guidway?), and some more than basic entertainment facilities would be welcomed in this city ;)

When I hear entertainment my mind thinks of theme parks, water parks, go carts, good dance clubs (and yes strip clubs aka adult entertainment), night markets with festivals, etc... you know, fun stuff, not another movie theatre with a TGIF.

Oh well, I am heading back to Japan on Nov 11th so once again I can enjoy all those features that we don't have here! (Well, except for the adult entertainment, that has never been my thing, although the atmosphere in the streets in Japanese red light districts is great! Lots of unique goofy shops and good restaurants there. Also I think my wife would kill me if I did, hehe)

[jlousa]

The fact it's non-residential is a large part why it hasn't been picked up yet, there are a couple of parties interested in the parcel but not at the current price. The image provided is probably done intentionally to show what could be possible on the site hoping someone overpays for it and later tries to rezone for residential. It's a big gamble that usually burns the developer but not always.

[Whalleyboy]

:previous: Honestly I am against this proposal for all the reasons you just listed. Does every corner of this metro need to be residential? Does it not make sense to use that parcel, surrounded by a massive casino, a metro hub, industrial lands and the airport, to be used for industrial or entertainment purposes instead?

Residential tower development should be concentrated along #3 road in Richmond (preferably Aberdeen Station and north). Same goes for the River front of Surrey. So what if new West is redeveloping their river front, the Surrey Flats around Scott Road should be kept for industrial uses, if anything, industry should be intensified in this area.

It is great for people to live near mass transit, but for us to be truely successful as a metro people also need to work and be entertained near mass transit. Why not relocate the DinoTown theme park (bigger and better of course) along that parcel of land in Richmond? The casino is already there, as is the transit, perfect for such an entertainment destination. Not to mention the land there is flat (perfect for a theme park), is near an airport (why the hell want to live right beside where planes land and take off all day?) and is a severe flood plain (a theme park being flooded is far better than a residential area!).

Honestly, at one point in the 50s it was decided that every development should be a carbon copy suburban subdivision. At that time it was the be all and end all of urban development, they really thought it was the best solution! How did that turn out? Pretty bad in many respects. Now it seems the be all and end all is for every development to be a mixed use (primarily residential) condo tower. While high density residential living is a good thing, and some mixed use is a good thing, if everything is built this way we are only going to be repeating our mistakes from the suburban sprawl days of the 50s. Of course this time it will be an entirely new set of problems (the death of night life and true entertainment areas, the strangling of our industrial sector through high land values and overly strict operating guidelines, such as strict noise and light bylaws, possibly destroying 24 hour operations, the same goes for the airport, etc...)

Again, I hate to bring up Japan, but if you ever ride the train there while the cities do have lots of mix use (essentially residential and retail together) they also have many areas that are strictly commercial and entertainment. In fact it is often these commercial areas during the day that become the entertainment areas at night (there is a smart mixes use strategy). Also, snugged right in with the city are incredibly dense, intense industrial areas with rapid transit train stations at their door step.

sorry for the rant! :)

have you ever looked at Surrey's South westminster plan? It keeps industrial down in the area for the most part. When i talk about clean up I mean thing like building there waterfront walk way and retail street for the area. Most of the land is still open for industrial. Surrey just has plans to clean it up more make it more viable for people to want to go down there and also its a gateway into surrey and a bad impression when people first see it.
I remember going to a meeting thing where some guy was talking about how surrey is being smart keeping its industrial land it it was one of vancouvers worst ideas to remove so much of theres.
If you havent seen Surrey's south westminster plan here it is
http://surrey.ca/files/SouthWestminster110704.pdf

also surreys in the bidding for dino town last i saw hope it come here =)

[Vancity]

^Hope Richmond gets Dino Town :P hehe

[Whalleyboy]

is ti just richmond bidding? cause i heard besides surrey itself doing it theres a couple private offers coming from people in south surrey

[Vancity]

I don't actually know if richmond is bidding. sorry for misleading you. it's just something i personally hope the city of richmond would get. it'd be nice to have of that sort in the city, for families and their children to enjoy (and grown ups too..haha)

but if surrey gets it. all the more power to them :)

[Whalleyboy]

well i think it would be best in surrey especially with surrey having the youngest population

[Metro-One]

:previous: And hopefully such a feature would be built near a skytrain station, hence Richmond near the Casino would be perfect, but around a Surrey skytrain station could work as well.

[Whalleyboy]

like the flats around scottroad

[Metro-One]

:previous: Exactly ;)

[Whalleyboy]

see that would help add to the clean up of the area.

[SpongeG]

Surrey to build B.C.'s first covered skate park

BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 19, 2010 2:04 PM

METRO VANCOUVER -- The City of Surrey will start work next month on the first covered skate park in B.C.

City council on Monday approved the project, to be built by New Line Skate Parks Inc., for the facility, which will be built at Tom Binnie Park south of the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre in Surrey's City Centre.

The project includes a covered skate park, a ball-hockey court, pathways and rain gardens.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts said the new park will provide "accessible and affordable recreation opportunities" for youth year-round.

"You won't find a covered facility like this anywhere else in B.C. and it will allow our youth to enjoy the skate park rain or shine," she said in a statement.

The facility will incorporate filters to clean storm water before it enters the city's sewer system as well as energy efficient lighting.

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Surrey+build+first+covered+skate+park/3695770/story.html

[Whalleyboy]

Surrey to build B.C.'s first covered skate park

BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 19, 2010 2:04 PM

METRO VANCOUVER -- The City of Surrey will start work next month on the first covered skate park in B.C.

City council on Monday approved the project, to be built by New Line Skate Parks Inc., for the facility, which will be built at Tom Binnie Park south of the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre in Surrey's City Centre.

The project includes a covered skate park, a ball-hockey court, pathways and rain gardens.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts said the new park will provide "accessible and affordable recreation opportunities" for youth year-round.

"You won't find a covered facility like this anywhere else in B.C. and it will allow our youth to enjoy the skate park rain or shine," she said in a statement.

The facility will incorporate filters to clean storm water before it enters the city's sewer system as well as energy efficient lighting.

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Surrey+build+first+covered+skate+park/3695770/story.html

old news
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2010/05/18/chuck-bailey-youth-park-2-0-pics/

[SpongeG]

old news that just made the vancouver sun today ;)

it was new to me too

[Whalleyboy]

ahh well if you look at the link i posted you'd see lots of pictures of it. Its basicly been in the works since the place was first opened