[golog]

Looks awesome. I'm a fan of this trend/style featuring a big foyer, with big windows for natural light and open staircases to connect the floors. Reminds me a little of Concordia's skyscraper in Montreal (the common space, windows, and open stair cases)

[SFUVancouver]

I am 100% behind Surrey's decision to go big and bold for the new central library. It's an architecturally distinct public building, an expression of civic ambition, and a celebration of the benefits that can accrue to a population that accepts urban growth. With Surrey being a low tax city there simply were too few resources available in the past for the number of civic amenities like libraries and community centres to be commensurate to the population, let alone offer enough geographic proximity to be considered 'local' amenities as opposed to 'city' amenities. Now, as the city undergoes sustained urbanizing growth there are both the resouces and the desire to provide additional civic amenities and leverage them to help create great neighbourhoods that are loved by citizens.

There are 9 existing branches of the Surrey library system and the central library that is under construction will be the 10th. In my mind this is still too few for the population and geographic scope of Surrey, but it's an absolutely fantastic step in the right direction. I am certain that the main public library will be a source of huge civic pride and will be a destination in its own right for the city. The ten branches will give Surrey a ratio of approximately 39,500 people per library. Surrey is also miles ahead of Burnaby, the region's third most populous city which has only four library branches. That works out to approximately one branch for every 54,000 people. By way of contrast Vancouver has 21 branches of varying sizes and that yields an approximate ratio of one branch for every 27,500 people.

I think that there is still ample room for additional even smaller local library branches to be created in all of our municipal library systems. My idea for this model would be something akin to the Canada Post outlets inside other businesses. The local branch would likely be paired with a coffee shop or located in a community centre and it would have public computers, a relaxed reading area, and, most importantly, a counter where one could pick up the books they put on hold, return books on loan, and use catalog terminals to search for books and media to put on hold with that location as the preffered pick-up point. These mini branches would have no stacks or permanent local collection.

Anyway, bravo Surrey. I cannot wait to visit this library when it opens. That will be a huge red letter day for the city.

[Whalleyboy]

Well i think big chain books stores are what kinda made surrey stop with it libraries for a while. then on top of that the time of the book is kinda in a down slope with laptops and tablets becoming more easy to come by. Plus librarys also use to be good place for people to use a computer since there was a time they werent a common house hold item. So in my mind the city with its lack of taxes obviously figured there is much more important things to do then build a library that wouldnt be used.
But this new library is more then just a library its a social gathering place in more then a place to get books or do hwk. Libraries will have a come back if made with this as there more main reason to be.

[Spork]

The building looks great, but I question how functional it is. Is there really that much usable square footage?

[geoff's two cents]

The building looks great, but I question how functional it is. Is there really that much usable square footage?

I agree that a larger (or at least expandable) building would have been preferable - something at least along the lines of Hamilton's central library, which is a city of comparable size. That said, I don't think the library is about storing books as much as it will be about providing Surrey's first large, public, indoor, non-corporate gathering place in the city center. Hell, until a few non-mall shops, restaurants and bars spring up, there won't be much else to do.:haha:

There's also the possibility, of course, that by the time the city outgrows the facility in twenty years or so it will make a good secondary building (library or admin, say) for a much-expanded SFU.

[Whalleyboy]

I can't wait for more random little bars/pubs to open up around central. I love traveling around vancouver just hitting up random places to drink lol

[Whalleyboy]

note also the library was expanded a bigger then orginal proposed plans and that space will be leased out to SFU till the city see the need of it.

[VanCvl]

This is turning out to be an amazing building. The models don't do justice of the natural light that comes in. I bet that it will get lots of use by SFU students; students are always looking for newer, cooler places to study.

[whalley13]

with the economy in the slumps, public libraries have seen a resurgence....the whalley library is usually pretty busy.....its gonna be interesting to see how the poor homeless and sprinkle of druggies that make a large part of the whalley library fanbase are gonna interact with the students from sfu lol

new resto's are already poppin up, jakes did a remodel, nahm thai house is great and sushi plus in the citypoint building has wikkid sushi...huge slabs of sashimi

[SpongeG]

you can get loads of DVDs at libraries, movies, TV shows - with internet caps coming on they should be more popular to check em out from teh library

[geoff's two cents]

sushi plus in the citypoint building has wikkid sushi...huge slabs of sashimi

Are you referring to that corner unit that had the "for lease" sign up for what seemed like forever? If so, that's wonderful!

[metroXpress]

There are 9 existing branches of the Surrey library system and the central library that is under construction will be the 10th.



They will close down the current Whalley library which is replaced by the Central library next door. That keeps it operating only 9 branches.

[whalley13]

its a side unit...little small but nicely decorated....and like i said before great portions for a carnivore like me :) i highly recco nahm bistro as well great thai food nice contempary feel, and decent prices

[xd_1771]

So what's going to happen to the existing library? Will it be redeveloped into something else or will Surrey see to it the old building gets the wrecking ball?

[whiteshadow]

So what's going to happen to the existing library? Will it be redeveloped into something else or will Surrey see to it the old building gets the wrecking ball?

Based on the preliminary concept designs of Phase 2 of City Hall (the tower portion), I'm pretty sure the old library will be demolished.

[CoryHolmes]

Are you referring to that corner unit that had the "for lease" sign up for what seemed like forever? If so, that's wonderful!

Oh, that's outstanding! I took the Skytrain by that building twice a day, almost every day of the week. That sign stood out like a sore thumb and it really made me doubt whether or not street-front businesses in a podium would actually work in Surrey. This brings hope.

[Whalleyboy]

I look forward to quattro getting some stores going over at there places. I have no doubt the park place towers will easily sell there retail areas though. I'm more curious what restraunt is gonna by into there little retail building.

[whalley13]

mebbe the red robin that closed down in newton...its supposed to relocate but hasn't shown up anywhere.....quattro 3 is coming up pretty quick, be a big improvement for that intersection...red robins would do well there value pricing appeals to young people and familys, plus the whitespot and bp are similiar fits and do strong business

[Whalleyboy]

I just hope they fix up the roads by quattro and soon that area looks really bad street scape wise

[logan5]

It's too bad Surrey/Whalley couldn't emulate Suter Brook Village or Newport Village in Port Moody, because these are great suburban projects that would make living in Surrey far more attractive.

[Whalleyboy]

Surrey's trying to get away from suburb and is trying to become a metro core

[paradigm4]

Surrey's trying to get away from suburb and is trying to become a metro core

Newport and Suterbrook are, IMO, the best examples of urban village style developments *any* city in the Metro could ask for. None of the projects in Surrey even come close to PM's two master devs.

[SpongeG]

those projects had the benefit of a developer able to but the whole area and plan it out and get it built

surrey is being done piece by piece by multiple developers

[whalley13]

Fencing has gone up at 132 and old yale looks like demo happening there soon for condo project and civic area

blocks have been dropped around 132 and king george, looks like excavation starting up

[officedweller]

Lots more library pics dated May 4, 2011:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

[LeftCoaster]

^ Wow, its looking great.

[golog]

it looks like a scene from an alien spaceship

the curves and angles are very pleasing to look at

[VanCvl]

Pretty amazing

[Diet Butcher]

Looks like the Library's Official Grand Opening Celebration will be September 24th http://surreycitycentrelibrary.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/mark-your-calendars/

I'm guessing it will actually be complete in August then?

[Smooth]

I can see this building being used for lots of movie shoots.

[CoryHolmes]

I can see this building being used for lots of movie shoots.

Not Stargate Universe anymore *grumble* :sly:

[geoff's two cents]

I know they want to work on pushing street front stores along king george from 100th onwards. Also city park way i believe in long term goals will be a more street fronting store road too.
Also your wrong about city point it actually has retail on all sides.

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

This is a shame, imo, as 108th seems very well-suited to be a neighbourhood retail node, but the planning hasn't been there thus far. They even call it a "Gateway" district, for crying out loud. Hence my disappointment when I see stuff like this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.19891,-122.8491&spn=0.004501,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.199056,-122.848794&panoid=jxq2tahVN1TU9_iehUujVQ&cbp=12,91.2,,0,0

I know this development is older, but it still annoys me: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.199128,-122.850966&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.19893,-122.850966&panoid=z6fq_r7dwEt2sLi0_eAxdA&cbp=12,314.21,,0,0

And there's just no excuse for this. In fact, with its separate right-turn lane, I'd say this whole corner is an urban planning disaster. Where in downtown Vancouver would you see something like this? - right next to what is supposed to be an up-and-coming civic plaza nonetheless!: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.191652,-122.850734&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.191652,-122.850734&panoid=zZi4l_l8erOrNWU3YmxHcg&cbp=12,306.79,,0,0

And then there's this truncated streetwall here. Are there any streets, King George and 102 ave aside, for which the city is actually planning an extensive retail streetwall? http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.198251,-122.842566&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.198122,-122.84251&panoid=xII6vkoCexa_7eWSyCSsTA&cbp=12,148.68,,0,0

I didn't even bother posting pictures from the corner of 100th and KGB. It's important to keep in mind that these are all supposed to be major arterial streets in an up-and-coming downtown. Spatially-speaking, they're definitely equivalent to the way arterial streets like Davie, Denman, Robson, Granville, Georgia, etc. frame Vancouver's downtown core. While I know Surrey is planning on fine-tuning its street grid over the next 30+ years, thus potentially opening up other areas for retail-oriented, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, I don't understand why most major streets like these, 108th especially, aren't being planned as retail arteries from the get-go. Apologies for the rant, but can anyone help me out with this?

[officedweller]

Looks like the ceiling design in this render was scrapped (skylight is still there) - but otherwise it looks just like the renders!

I found this interior rendering of Bing Thom's new Central Library on ArchDaily (from July 26). Looks like a pretty cool space!

http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/1280168523-surrey-library-interior-model-528x396.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/70482/surrey-city-centre-library-by-bing-thom-architects/surrey-library-interior-model/)
From www.archdaily.com. Image (C) Courtesy of Bing Thom Architects.

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.archdaily.com/70482/surrey-city-centre-library-by-bing-thom-architects/

[xd_1771]

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

I agree that Surrey right now seems to have a problem with city planning. When they're trying to develop an integrated city centre and should be focusing majorly on densifying, improving and connecting Whalley, Guildford and Newton, they are trying to stick the majority of people in outbound town centres like Cloverdale and Clayton. So, Surrey, want to urbanize? Get rid of the Calgary-style density in the existing big city first. There's no way this plan of a vibrant, urban city is going to come into place unless we start to entice people to move closer to the city centre in Whalley, Guildford and perhaps Newton, and connecting those more important town centres. Guildford is currently the most walkable neighbourhood in the city of Surrey. i would like to see the same apply to Whalley and Newton first before even thinking of developing elsewhere.

Thinking City-Centre wise... I have a feeling there could be success in taking King George Highway & Whalley Blvd. and turning them into one way streets, 2-3 lanes each with room on the sides similar to Vancouver. This could pave the way for a more urban cityscape, remove the ultra-wide and pedestrian unfriendly 6-lane King George Highway, while still allowing for decent traffic movement through the city. Or, of course, Surrey could take the Burnaby approach and build massive pedestrian overpasses like Burnaby did over Kingsway just lately. On a large scale that doesn't seem a bad idea either, Calgary & Winnipeg downtown centres work well on a system of pedestrian "skyways" connecting indoor downtown commercial establishments.

[whalley13]

City point has retail on both sides...there is some empty units, but sushi resto and convenience store are already open and i saw a sign for another business opening soon.....

I think it is supply and demand....when demand increases city has more clout in the design process Sushi plus is great!.....alot of the stuff on 108th is either older or smaller builders who don't do retail...city can't say no to them when there is not much demand

Reality is more people with money wanna live in the suburb parts of surrey, it is still pretty economical to buy a single detached house in Surrey, so its going to be hard to compete with that, but single lots are running out so people are going to have look to higher density regardless....patience patience patience

but i think this is going to change, as more people are willing to live in city centre....it is still a poor area, so why would u open a decent store thre? patience patience patience

[jhausner]

Patience is the key for sure. As long as the retail space is built then it's all good. Businesses change like underwear so the space is the key factor. I'm going to have to try that Sushi place. I'm trying to find a good Sushi place that gives you good sized portions of Sashimi. Most of the places I frequent seem to be giving you less and less for more and more. $8 for 6 thin slices of Salmon Sashimi?? Ridiculous when I can buy a full giant salmon filet from Costco for $17.

I may just have to go to East Van and start buying my own frozen Sashimi grade fish. :rolleyes:

[djmk]

Lots more library pics dated May 4, 2011:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

wow indeed

[Whalleyboy]

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

This is a shame, imo, as 108th seems very well-suited to be a neighbourhood retail node, but the planning hasn't been there thus far. They even call it a "Gateway" district, for crying out loud. Hence my disappointment when I see stuff like this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.19891,-122.8491&spn=0.004501,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.199056,-122.848794&panoid=jxq2tahVN1TU9_iehUujVQ&cbp=12,91.2,,0,0 Its worth noting that the gateway office tower district is set to have retail with it

I know this development is older, but it still annoys me: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.199128,-122.850966&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.19893,-122.850966&panoid=z6fq_r7dwEt2sLi0_eAxdA&cbp=12,314.21,,0,0

And there's just no excuse for this. In fact, with its separate right-turn lane, I'd say this whole corner is an urban planning disaster. Where in downtown Vancouver would you see something like this? - right next to what is supposed to be an up-and-coming civic plaza nonetheless!: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.191652,-122.850734&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.191652,-122.850734&panoid=zZi4l_l8erOrNWU3YmxHcg&cbp=12,306.79,,0,0
Really when it comes to surrey city centre it kinda dies out as you go past 108 ave and 132 street. Adding alot of retail going the opposite way is just pointless. The real life of surrey is between central and guildford not central and south westminster.


And then there's this truncated streetwall here. Are there any streets, King George and 102 ave aside, for which the city is actually planning an extensive retail streetwall? http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=36.544557,100.283203&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.198251,-122.842566&spn=0.004522,0.012242&z=17&layer=c&cbll=49.198122,-122.84251&panoid=xII6vkoCexa_7eWSyCSsTA&cbp=12,148.68,,0,0 I think this is even more towards a 108 ave retail street are even though it faces whalley blvd.

I didn't even bother posting pictures from the corner of 100th and KGB. It's important to keep in mind that these are all supposed to be major arterial streets in an up-and-coming downtown. Spatially-speaking, they're definitely equivalent to the way arterial streets like Davie, Denman, Robson, Granville, Georgia, etc. frame Vancouver's downtown core. While I know Surrey is planning on fine-tuning its street grid over the next 30+ years, thus potentially opening up other areas for retail-oriented, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, I don't understand why most major streets like these, 108th especially, aren't being planned as retail arteries from the get-go. Apologies for the rant, but can anyone help me out with this?
I will agree with you on the failing of adding retail on 100th and king george kinda. The city centre does kinda end there though Plus with holland park on one side they seem more like there making that whole intersection a plaza on all sides so it more for gathering then shoping.
Its worth noting areas like city park way are already holding a good little stretch of retail all they really need to do to really get it going better is getting rid of safeway and attach to infront of the mall and proper connections at 104ave.

[invisibleairwaves]

I think it's pretty much obvious that D'Corize is an absolute mess at street level, and it definitely makes me question City Hall's commitment to the whole "second metropolitan core" thing. Projects like that certainly have their place in a city, but the intersection of two major roads, kitty-corner from the central public square, is not that place.

Is Quattro 3 going to have retail along 108th? I thought it was aiming towards a retail street on Whalley Blvd, not 108th. I actually think the Whalley Blvd. streetwall is one of the best things about the project. The "truncation" won't be nearly as noticeable once the rest of the street gets redeveloped, I think.

[Whalleyboy]

I think it's pretty much obvious that D'Corize is an absolute mess at street level, and it definitely makes me question City Hall's commitment to the whole "second metropolitan core" thing. Projects like that certainly have their place in a city, but the intersection of two major roads, kitty-corner from the central public square, is not that place.

Is Quattro 3 going to have retail along 108th? I thought it was aiming towards a retail street on Whalley Blvd, not 108th. I actually think the Whalley Blvd. streetwall is one of the best things about the project. The "truncation" won't be nearly as noticeable once the rest of the street gets redeveloped, I think.

Its along whalley blvd i just have a feeling there gonna try and stretch retail all along 108ave up to it then go down whalley blvd

[CoryHolmes]

I think it's pretty much obvious that D'Corize is an absolute mess at street level, and it definitely makes me question City Hall's commitment to the whole "second metropolitan core" thing.

Why hate the 'Rize? I like it.

[Whalleyboy]

he hates it cause lack of retail i think

[invisibleairwaves]

Lack of retail and a friggin' parking garage entrance right on one of the most prominent intersections in the city. It's a complete waste.

[Sprawl]

19 new SCC Library photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/5717436074_5c5571bafe.jpg
Surrey City Centre Library http://flic.kr/p/9Hbr8Z
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/5716866163_2881a2157b.jpg
Surrey City Centre Library http://flic.kr/p/9Hemy3

[officedweller]

Anyone else think it's poor design that the angled mullions do not match/meet up at the corners?

[dreambrother808]

It's a flaw, for sure. Otherwise, wow, I love this building.

[CoryHolmes]

It's not a flaw, it's a deliberate design choice to prevent our merely mortal minds from breaking at the sight of such pure perfection. :)

[whalley13]

Demo has started at 132/old yale road for the civic plaza condo project.....looks huge they got most of the block on old yale fenced off

[jhausner]

Lack of retail and a friggin' parking garage entrance right on one of the most prominent intersections in the city. It's a complete waste.

/agree on both fronts.

I'm the first person to point out that for Downtown Vancouver, around 80% of all buildings in the core lack retail, but the majority of those aren't on major roads. To me the ring roads or whatever they want to be called now are major roads and every development along them should have retail at the base. Every single one.

That's why I have part agreed with the Sky Towers gripe about currently no retail. I can argue that it is mainly facing 100th, but the portion facting Walley Blvd _should_ have retail. Just like Park Place _should_ have retail. Everything along that road should. Everything along KGB should. Everything along University Bvd. _should_.

If it is on another road then sure don't. Not only that but isn't D'corize fronting University & 104th? 104th is also a major road which _should_ have retail. So it's a double whammy. I like the building itself from 2nd floor UP but ground level RETAIL C'MON!

[SFUVancouver]

^ Hear hear!

I absolutely agree with the need to start establishing retail streets now. Mandating retail at grade on the streets you described is as important as mandating continuous street walls, no surface parking, and a servicing and underground parking entrance strategy that begins with the principle that these aspects of civic life should not take place on the city's primary downtown retail streets.

In the new plan for the city streets of Central Surrey, have laneways or service lanes been included? If not then a major piece of what makes many moden downtowns successful has been missed. I know that lanes are not absolutely necessary, and Portland, for example, gets along just fine without them in its downtown, South Waterfront, or Pearl District neighbourhoods.

There are trade offs to not having lanes, most notably is the number of driveways that cross the sidewalk. These generate unfortunate vehicle dwell conditions as automobiles block or limit pedestrian movement while they edge forward and wait for a break in traffic to proceed.

The other major issue that a lack of lanes generates is how waste and recycling are handled. Typically these are brought to street level to await pick-up by their respective haulers. To accommodate this approach the garbage and recycling are left on the sidewalk or in designated on-street loading areas that may be shared at diffetent times of day or times in the week with on-street parking. In many cities like Portland where downtowns lack lanes the common historical response to address the need for loading and servicing has been to have each building operate an in-sidewalk elevator that allow businesses and residents to bring their bagged or binned garbage and recycling up from the basement to the sidewalk where it is left on the curb for the haulers.

For Surrey's city centre the main streets lack on-street parking and this poses problems of its own for fledgling retail in a still largely automobile oriented city. Banning surface parking in the city centre is also essential and the historic practice of retail plazas and individual businesses offering exclusive surface parking to their customers with time limits and penalties for misuse by customers who may wish to shop in the vicinity results in a huge over supply of surface parking and a set of rules and cutural norms that require people to drive from business to business. In this context the prevelence of strip malls and shopping centres makes perfect sense because they offer free parking and the ability to shop at multiple stores without having to drive and find parking again.

Hopefully the mistakes and lessons of the initial projects like D'Corize and Park Place/Infinity will quickly yield changes to zoning or applicable bylaws in order to not get stuck in under performing practices that will be hard to fix or repair once they have taken hold.

[Gaijin Punch]

I think it's easy to say lets ban surface parking in the entire downtown core, but street parking isn't enough for the amount of retail in Central Surrey. I don't know the current land prices in that area, but it costs A LOT to dig down and create underground parking, or even a shared parking garage. It's easy enough to do in downtown Vancouver because land prices are so high, it doesn't effect the pro forma of the development to dig down, but are the land prices in Surrey high enough to do this?

Suburban surface parking costs about $1,500 to $2,000 per space. It jumps to $8,000 to $10,000 for above-grade structure, or $18,000 to $25,000 for underground.

Also, retail lease rates in Central Surrey range from $15 to $30 / SF which isn't high enough yet to warrant the elimination of surface parking. And I don't think tax payers would want the city to subsidize developers right now to eliminate the surface parking lots.

I think over time as land values continue to increase and rents push over $30 SF, the city will be able to eliminate some of the surface lots you see all over Central Surrey, but it could take 10-15-20 years.

In my best case scenario, a nice mix of esthetically pleasing parking garages along with some surface lots tucked behind retail would work best.

I do agree that the time limits and penalties of misuse by customers are ridiculous though. Makes you get in your car and drive across the street instead of walking.

[CoryHolmes]

Can anyone get me a map of Holland Park? The one linked to from the Surrey webpage is terrible. Specifically, I'd like one that has all the walking/running paths on it.

I remember that the loop is supposed to be 1km but I just walked it yesterday and it doesn't seem to be nearly that long.

[Whalleyboy]

it should be noted that a huge amount of underground parking is being planned for the civic plaza area. Its gonna be 3 levels and hold 856 spots for parking.

[officedweller]

As an aside, Pacific Centre in Vancouver has new signs up posting the number of available parking spaces - the highest number I've ever seen in about 1400 spaces available (if I recall correctly)

[whalley13]

Is the underground parking going into the BRICK lot? i saw them doing excavation and dirt removal there...seems like more that water main fix up

[Whalleyboy]

Nope all three levels are in the plaza/library/city hall area If you look at the renders of the plaza you can see the roadway to the underground parking entrance

[Whalleyboy]

heres a 3d model of the new city hall for google sketch up
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=957b6b0c86b384ba8bece9212bf79f08&ct=mdsa

[Diet Butcher]

Did anyone attend the SFU Surrey Open House on the Weekend? Any word on Residence building progress?

[Diet Butcher]

Fencing has gone up at 132 and old yale looks like demo happening there soon for condo project and civic area



These old Houses have now been demolished on the corner of Old Yale and 132 and there's a Green Development sign there for 100+ condo units.

[theQ]

There was an article about it on the CivicSurrey website.

http://www.civicsurrey.com/2010/11/30/4-storey-condo-planned-for-old-yale-road-pics/

I'm glad that they're finally moving on this project - I live across the street in the Fuse... Those old condemned houses have been an eye sore since we moved in a couple of years ago!

[NewfBC]

Anyone have any idea what the purpose is of those huge concrete blocks they've placed around the Gateway area?

Ron.

[BCPhil]

Went past the Library the other night and the lights inside were on. It looks good, coming along well, and many of the shelves were already in place.

[officedweller]

A few new interior pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

[whalley13]

seven eleven in front of central city has closed, does anyone know if demo is coming soon? there was news a while ago that an office building was going up there

[WaxItYourself]

seven eleven in front of central city has closed, does anyone know if demo is coming soon? there was news a while ago that an office building was going up there

I don't think the plans for the office building have passed the proposal stage. Rogers has also closed. Staples will be closing as well. The office building is set to take the place of where the 7-11 is, CIBC and Rogers Video and will have a CIBC in the bottom.

Here is the link: http://www.bozyk.com/HTML/CtrofSurrey.html

[Spork]

Cool! It looks fast! :P

[usog]

seven eleven in front of central city has closed, does anyone know if demo is coming soon? there was news a while ago that an office building was going up there

Seriously? Nooooo, they were the only 7-11 I could find that carried Bawls D:

[WaxItYourself]

Seriously? Nooooo, they were the only 7-11 I could find that carried Bawls D:

They are moving to the corner of 140th and Fraser Highway. There is a gas station and, I believe, 2 level building that will house 7-11 being built there now.

[Whalleyboy]

well found a few images of city hall that i dont recall seeing so here. If any doubles sorry. I really need to fix my computer to double check what i got for pictures.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/SCCaerial-masterplan_update20101203.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/ELEVATION-SOUTH_MaterialFinishescopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/ELEVATION-NORTH_MaterialFinishescopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/ELEVATION-EAST-WEST_MaterialFinishescopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/ELEVATION-EAST-WEST_MaterialFinishescopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/CopyofWestwallfinal.jpg

[rbostyle]

Nice find, Whalleyboy!

[Sprawl]

Nice find! I recall seeing the top image before, but not the others. The squares and angles of City Hall seen in that last render complement City Centre Library perfectly. Very impressive architecture and urban design for a city of its size.

[Whalleyboy]

I thought the top one look like i've seen it before. But i thought maybeit was cause it looks like an early concept

[CoryHolmes]

New hole in the ground, opposite of the Library and North Surrey Rec. Just dug today, I think.

[WaxItYourself]

New hole in the ground, opposite of the Library and North Surrey Rec. Just dug today, I think.

That must be for the underground parking the plan on installing. If you mean across the road from those places mentioned then I would think it's for the college dorms.

[CoryHolmes]

That must be for the underground parking the plan on installing. If you mean across the road from those places mentioned then I would think it's for the college dorms.

Yeah, it's on the other side of University Drive. And very cool if its for the SFU dorms. I thought that project turned into vapourware.

[TheEmotionalstone]

What will be happening to the Power lines that go through the downtown core wonder?:shrug:

[Whalleyboy]

What will be happening to the Power lines that go through the downtown core wonder?:shrug:

If you're talking about the big ones that go along quibble creek greenway. Then i'd say nothing likely since the city has plans on using the full route as a greenway.

[theQ]

Opens Tues. September 6: 9:30 am - 9 pm

Parking is limited until our new parking facilities are open.
Please take transit if you can.

Hours will be:
Monday - Friday: 9:30 am - 9pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 1 - 5 pm

Official Grand Opening Celebration: September 24, 2011

from: http://www.spl.surrey.bc.ca/location-hours/4682.aspx

[CoryHolmes]

I knew they were getting to close to opening since all the roadwork has been completed, all the torn up sections have wonderful new blacktop, and repainting all the lines has commenced.

It's been a little over 17 months since the sign first went up announcing the new library, and I didn't think it'd get finished so quickly. I tip my hat to the men and women who made this possible.

[Whalleyboy]

they had to get it done with in the time limit or the city would have been screwed on paying the full bill. But you do have to give respect for it getting done on time and in budget.

[mosup]

City Centre Library opened today. I went in and had a quick peek. Interior is still in progress with some workers cleaning up and adding finishing touches. Although I like the "quasi-Guggenheim" interior I gotta say I'm not a big fan of the cheap 70s era carpet or the unsealed/painted concrete exterior.

Overall an anti-climactic experience. I've been waiting for this thing to open for so long with too high hopes I guess. It's good but not awesome.

[allan_kuan]

Is it actually unsealed concrete? I wonder why they made that decision... because aged concrete looks really ghetto compared to fresh concrete = \

[NewfBC]

The exterior concrete is ugly.

Wasn't it painted in early renders?

Ron.

[allan_kuan]

Don't think so... the City Hall renders show the library as being in grey...

[theQ]

I don't mind the unpolished concrete/glass/wood on the inside - it reminds me of other west coast projects like YVR, the new convention centre and the Chan Centre for performing arts at UBC.

I do find that the concrete exterior along University Drive is a bit overbearing... The east side is fine (which has more windows), but the west side looks like a large 4 story concrete wall! I wish more buildings would have more attractive frontage along University Drive. The mall/sfu, the recreation centre and now the library are all pretty ugly along University Drive.

[rbostyle]

I uploaded a few photos to my flickr after a brief visit today:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6122460577_ce7d0a2d42.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122460577/)
City Centre Library - Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122460577/) by rbrtwhite (http://www.flickr.com/people/rbostyle/), on Flickr


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6122459601_f88c46d872.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122459601/)
City Centre Library - Möbius (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122459601/) by rbrtwhite (http://www.flickr.com/people/rbostyle/), on Flickr


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6122455749_564aea67c8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122455749/)
City Centre Library - South Interior (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/6122455749/) by rbrtwhite (http://www.flickr.com/people/rbostyle/), on Flickr

A few more here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbostyle/sets/72157626548923112/). I plan to take a slew of better ones on opening day when it's packed full of people :)

[NewfBC]

The exterior looks nothing like this...
http://surreycitycentrelibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/surrey-library-concept.jpg

Ron.

[invisibleairwaves]

Can't help but be pretty disappointed by how this turned out. The concrete looks bad now and it's going to look awful after it's been exposed to the elements for a few years. And what's with all the white on the interior? Looks like a hospital or corporate office or something. Blah.

[SpongeG]

i love the white interior, can't be that bad as y'all describe

[Sprawl]

The exterior looks nothing like this...
http://surreycitycentrelibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/surrey-library-concept.jpg

Ron.
Are you sure you're not looking at the wrong side of the building? The windows on that model are identical to those on the finished building.

Unless you're referring to the fact that it isn't made out of balsa wood, I see absolutely no differences.

[Whalleyboy]

He is looking at the wrong side of the building. The current entrance is not actually the main entrance for the new library. The main entrance is actually set to face the plaza when it is complete. Also note the library is not done yet anyways. They only opened it since they could now. There is still a bit of work to be done. Just have to be patience for it to all be complete.

[RosstheBoss]

I think the big concrete exterior wall facing university boulevard can look nice, they just need to put some greenery around it and maybe put a couple nice posters of art on the side...

[paradigm4]

People dislike exposed concrete and the hospital-like white interior. I would agree. However, both were deliberate design decisions that I can respect. Considering its expedited schedule and limited stimulus funding, exposed concrete makes financial sense. Meanwhile, to meet LEED specs, there's no direct lighting into the building, so it all has to be reflected off the white walls. There are qualms but ones I understand.

In other news, I spend a good hour there the other day. Was pleasantly surprised at the activity. I felt like I was in a real city. The teen lounge was the busiest space. Wide variety of ages and colours walking about. The sight that made it for me though was this pre-teen girl hiding out in the lunar chairs with a stack of anime - she was there from the time I entered to the time I left. I kept thinking, this poor awkward girl, this is exactly the type of space she needs to discover her identity and be a proud young adult.

[memememe76]

I went this afternoon. Eh, it was okay, I suppose. It didn't help that you currently can only enter via the University Blvd way. Pain in the neck.

I'm not quite sure what they are going to do with all this space. Will they be housing anything unique? Everything is so spread apart. Do people really like big libraries?

And the size of the coffeeshop is disappointing (they were still setting things up, so I didn't buy anything). Looks more like a kiosk than a coffeeshop.

As a lifelong Surrey resident (who has never had much of a problem with our library system, although I wish their dvd catalogue was bigger and more current), I'll probably continue to go to Guildford, Fleetwood or Newton.

[allan_kuan]

People dislike exposed concrete and the hospital-like white interior. I would agree. However, both were deliberate design decisions that I can respect. Considering its expedited schedule and limited stimulus funding, exposed concrete makes financial sense. Meanwhile, to meet LEED specs, there's no direct lighting into the building, so it all has to be reflected off the white walls. There are qualms but ones I understand.

I understand where your opinion is coming from, and I am equally impressed at the speed and quality of construction for such a project. White walls aside (which I don't really mind too much myself), I'm pretty sure that concrete eventually turns into a really dark, dinghy, uninviting, and oppressive colour after many decades, and I expect this library to last us several decades at least.

I'm not sure as to whether it works on buildings, but a theoretical good concrete sealant application, in comparison, may help in preserving that new concrete look for possibly a decade or two between coats and in slowing down the rate at which the colour changes.

[TheEmotionalstone]

pictures didn't work, so...
DELETE!

[TheEmotionalstone]

here are some new pics of the Infinity and Park Place projects

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Emotionalstone/Surrey%20Redevelopment/IMG_7550.jpg

they have some new gardens planted now

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Emotionalstone/Surrey%20Redevelopment/IMG_7561.jpg


And here is a picture of the new Rec Centre in the area

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Emotionalstone/Surrey%20Redevelopment/IMG_7565.jpg

[flight_from_kamakura]

looking great, thanks.

[TheEmotionalstone]

Two dancers
a man
and a woman
begin to circle
forever closing in on
each other
barriers between
brought down with
care and precision
taking time
but not power
from the only goal

a single touch


I hope that this is a good description of Surrey as a whole; it's desire to become the second downtown core of the province (a prosperous, strong place of economic gain), and its need to be the home of families and individuals. Hopefully these dreams of a becoming the centralized urban hub of the SoF region can be balanced equally with our suburban past to raise Surrey high on a pedestal as another very livable city within BC and Canada.

P.S. I did write this, it's not copied off of someone else, so please ask if (major if) you want to use it! :P Thanks!

[CoryHolmes]

So the new hole that was being dug across the street from the Library and rec centre? Turns out it's not for SFU or any other development; it's just a new surface parking lot. Blargh.