Quote:
Originally Posted by scryer
I live near the area and that hotel felt like it took FOREVER to complete...
I feel like it is picking up speed now. 
That's an interesting point to make. I know that there are plans to re-do the recreation centre/theatre in Surrey Central (someone, please correct me if I'm wrong) and I think that something like that can help out with some social development (?). But are there any other suggestions?
Regardless I do think that the more up-scale hotel in Surrey Central is going to put more pressure on the surrounding area to develop into locations that are going to benefit from their guests' business. |
I'm not sure if the hotel will help a huge amount. I mean it does in the sense that people staying will be demanding more social attractions in the core, and the convention center will bring people, but if you look at social items in other cities and centers, a lot of it comes from having plenty of things to do not just 1 or 2.
Restaurants are part of it, having more of those. Surrey Central is improving there. Walk down most of the "social" streets in Downtown Vancouver though and you'll trip over restaurants. In Surrey Central you can count on a couple hands most of the ones available, in DTV on some roads you get through both hands in 2 blocks.
Shopping is another aspect, and that is somewhere Surrey Central is well behind on and needs improve over time. Yes there is a mall but that's different than street level retail and shopping that gets people walking around a neighborhood. With a mall it is destination based so people drive or walk quickly to and from the mall but there is nothing in between.
The final item are culture based such as clubs, theaters, etc. where shows play and people go to watch and then go out to a restaurant after. Right now Surrey Central is still largely utilitarian to me. Meaning you go there to do something then leave. There isn't really any point of hanging around. You compare to many parts of Downtown Vancouver where most people would rank a higher level of culture, and it is less about that.
For example, you jump on SkyTrain and go downtown to see a show at the Orpheum. A lot of people will go a bit early and wander along Granville going into little shops and just generally hanging out. Then go to their show, and after that take a relaxing walk back maybe dipping into a restaurant or pub for a drink or some food. That creates an atmosphere where people are populating a core vs going in and out.
I find any city where people question the social and cultural atmosphere are largely destination based. Aka they are filled with businesses where the daily population may be high but it is largely people commuting, going to work, then leaving. At night the core largely evacuates and is empty. This actually happens in a _lot_ of major cities around the world even several larger than Vancouver I've been to.
Surrey is this way right now. It is largely a destination for residents living and starting to be business oriented, but social/culture is still well behind. There isn't even a movie theater yet (it is coming at The Hub). It is going to take time I'd imagine if ever.
Does Metrotown have a night life? Brentwood? Coquitlam Center? New Westminster? Do they truely address a social need either? I happen to think Downtown Vancouver is largely unique in the region in this regard. My wife lived around Oak Ridge and you could fire a cannon around there at night and not hit someone. I also have a friend in Kits and in the evening often you'd be lucky to see a human being walk buy his street. So it isn't all of Vancouver that is a mecca of socialization. But I could be wrong.
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