Suburban Updates

[vanman]

I think we need a general thread for Suburban updates.

The main arch of the pedestrian bridge linking Centerpoint to Metrotown is up. I was surprised to see that it's made of wood.

[jlousa]

Riverview is getting a $4.5Million dollar update. Apparently there are more updates in the works. Should be interesting to watch especially with redevelopment plans also in the works.

Bby
Byrnepark and Southpoint
4 storeys, 26,550M2, 7 acres, parking for 491 cars, 325 townhouses, normally I don't mention projects of this height, but this one seems like a rather large project that some people would like to hear about.

[SpongeG]

there look to be some nice projects coming for abbotsford

[hollywoodnorth]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...6/bc-fire.html

A massive fire broke out in a condominium complex near the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.

The complex, which is on Sherbrooke Street behind the hospital, was under construction. Known as the Copperstone, it's made up of three buildings containing 230 units.

A massive fire broke out near a hospital on Sherbrooke Street in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.
(CBC) Firefighters from both New Westminster and Burnaby are on the scene. A plume of smoke and flames can be seen from some distance.

Fire officials said there are no reports of any injuries at this point and the three-alarm blaze doesn't pose a danger to nearby structures.

Hospital officials said patients are in no immediate danger but the air intakes have been shut down to avoid smoke getting into the hospital. The hospital helipad is not being used for now.

The cause of the fire is not known at this point.

[SFUVancouver]

(My photo, taken September 26th, 2007)



I snapped this a few minutes past 6 this evening while waiting for the train home.

Also, here is the progress of the Lake City Business Centre. They are forming the sixth and final floor, plus mechanical cap, and they took delivery of large steel beams today. It is likely that the first floor of this 100k sq ft class A office building will begin being framed tomorrow.

(My photo, taken September 26th, 2007)

[vanman]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...6/bc-fire.html

A massive fire broke out in a condominium complex near the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.

The complex, which is on Sherbrooke Street behind the hospital, was under construction. Known as the Copperstone, it's made up of three buildings containing 230 units.

A massive fire broke out near a hospital on Sherbrooke Street in New Westminster, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.
(CBC) Firefighters from both New Westminster and Burnaby are on the scene. A plume of smoke and flames can be seen from some distance.

Fire officials said there are no reports of any injuries at this point and the three-alarm blaze doesn't pose a danger to nearby structures.

Hospital officials said patients are in no immediate danger but the air intakes have been shut down to avoid smoke getting into the hospital. The hospital helipad is not being used for now.

The cause of the fire is not known at this point.

That's a shame. Those buildings were really nice, they looked straight out of Whistler.

[SFUVancouver]

I took the long way home today and stopped by the fire-damaged building to snapped this photo.

(My photo, taken September 27th, 2007)




Thank goodness for that cement block party wall. You can see exactly where the fire was stopped. The wreckage was still smoldering and the fire fighters were dousing it wish two hoses.

[danby]

Looks almost as bad as the past fires in Edmonton the past couple months.. Something needs to be done about the building code NOW

[SpongeG]

they said the fire doors were not installed so some damage was done to the other side of the firewall

[mr.x]

Huge soccer complex proposed at Tynehead Regional Park
Council to pursue idea with Metro Vancouver

Glenda Luymes, The Province
Published: Friday, September 28, 2007

Surrey wants to build a soccer sports complex in Tynehead Regional Park.

The idea, raised at last week's council meeting, may be a long shot for the green space, which has been the subject of many grand proposals over the years, but "you don't know unless you try," said Coun. Tom Gill.

Citing the high demand for soccer fields across the region, Gill broached the idea of a large sports complex, complete with six to eight soccer fields, located on the eastern edge of the 120-hectare park.

Council passed a motion to pursue the idea with the Metro Vancouver parks committee next month.

"I don't know of any other concept like this in the Lower Mainland," said Gill. "This would be significant for the whole region.

"I know Kamloops is called the tournament capital of B.C., but I say let's take that title."

Metro Vancouver, the former Greater Vancouver Regional District, has considered developing Tynehead Regional Park as an activity area for residents in the past.

The large park, near 96th Avenue and 168th Street, has been the subject of proposals for golf courses, a zoo and at one time, the relocation of the Pacific National Exhibition.

But Coun. Bob Bose said he's not sure Metro Vancouver will allow the land to be used for a sports complex.

"I don't think I've ever seen the regional district assume responsibility for this type of facility in the past," he said.

B.C. Soccer Association competition chairman Don Dancey said it's difficult to find fields to host soccer competitions because "there aren't enough soccer fields to go around."

gluymes@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Province 2007

[SpongeG]

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

[vanman]

^Wow, nice. Looks different than the usual towers going up in Brentwood.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

wow nice one

[fever]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

a sign went up today along the lougheed for Luxe

liveatluxe.com

two towers and townhomes kitty corner to the east from brentwood gate

The lighting's the most original thing about this one. It's a bit fat although the hat is a little interesting

[SpongeG]

there is a permit sign at a strip mall across from infinity that just went up - never got a chance to read what it says but its just gone up in the last couple of weeks

maybe they will doze it? and replace with towers atop retail?

[Volksboi]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

there is a permit sign at a strip mall across from infinity that just went up - never got a chance to read what it says but its just gone up in the last couple of weeks

maybe they will doze it? and replace with towers atop retail?

Hey From what I saw when I drove by the other day they are applying for higher density zoning.

[David]

i bet it won't look anything like the rendering when it is actually built.. :p

[SpongeG]

Open house to offer info on PoCo project

Oct. 10 meeting will showcase road changes and other aspects of plans for the Coast Meridian overpass


More “fine-tuned” drawings of what a Port Coquitlam road will look like once the Coast Meridian overpass is built can be seen at an open house next month.

At the Oct. 10 event, the city will present concepts of acoustic walls to reduce noise for homes along Coast Meridian Road; designs for a new park on the road’s west side; and landscaping plans for the medians, boulevards and private properties.

The open house will be held at Terry Fox secondary (1260 Riverwood Gate) from 6 to 8 p.m.; city staff and consultants will be on hand to respond to questions.

Dave Currie, PoCo’s transportation manager, said the aim is to present more refined drawings based on feedback from last open house May 31 at the school.

The open house will come about a week before the tender to build the four-lane, $98.73 million viaduct closes for the three shortlisted bidders: Bilfinger Berger, Peter Kiewet Sons Co. and SNC Lavalin. City council is expect to make its decision in mid-November, with construction due to start early next year.

TransLink is paying $60 million towards the cost of the overpass while PoCo is paying $38.73 million through development cost charges and from its major transportation capital reserve and land sale revenue.

Other PoCo news:

TOWNHOMES PROPOSED


A chunk of industrial land straddling the Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam may be lost for more townhouses.

Mosaic Avenue Developments wants to build 134 units in both cities off Kingsway Avenue, near the CP Rail tracks and Maple Creek and north of the Riverbend sub-division.

City staff have asked Mosaic to host a consultation meeting to gauge the public’s reaction to the bid; a meeting will likely be held in mid-October.

According to a report that went before PoCo’s community and economic development committee (CEDC) this week, Mosaic has applied to construct 90 three-storey townhomes on 3.9 acres at 835 Westwood St., in Coquitlam, and 44 units at 2643-2669 Bedford St., in PoCo.

The land is currently zoned industrial; however, PoCo’s official community plan calls for apartments on one side. Mosaic’s application involves changing the OCP to townhouse.

Earlier this month, Coquitlam city council voted 8-1 to allow the public consultation to proceed (Coun. Richard Stewart opposed), though Coun. Brent Asmundson voiced concern about the potential loss of industrial land.

Meanwhile, Mosaic Homes got a development permit from CEDC this week to build 137 townhomes near the Pickton farm on Dominion Avenue.

The company still has to obtain a building permit.

http://www.tricitynews.com/

[SpongeG]

Burnaby nixes big North Road plans

Brooke Larsen
Burnaby Now


Wednesday, October 03, 2007


Burnaby councillors want to halt a Coquitlam plan to add condos and shops to North Road.

On Monday, Burnaby council asked Coquitlam to nix official community plan changes to 225 North Rd., a 10.8-hectare (27-acre) site.

Once used by Crane Plumbing, the site is now home to warehouses and other light industry.

Because it calls for high-density housing, the change would allow roughly 2,000 units -- an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 people -- to be added to the site, a Burnaby city staff report says. It would also allow retail, office and light industrial uses.

"I'm a little dazed and confused that Coquitlam is seriously considering this," Coun. Nick Volkow said at the meeting.

In August, the City of Coquitlam asked for Burnaby's feedback on the plans, which have not yet received approval from Coquitlam council.

The Burnaby report notes the site is not included in regional or town centre plans for residential growth, stating it is "disconnected from the current urban centre being (developed) by Burnaby and Coquitlam" north of the Trans-Canada Highway.

"The site is strongly associated with the park and open-space system established by Burnaby and New Westminster in the area," the report adds.

Volkow said he was surprised that Coquitlam was considering redeveloping the site.

"I hope that the council in Coquitlam seriously entertains this report," he added.

Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson did not immediately return phone calls Tuesday.

The site is bounded to the northeast by a CN Rail line, the SkyTrain Millennium Line and Highway 1. To the south, it is bounded by the Brunette River near New Westminster, and to the west by the Brunette River Conservation Area in Burnaby.

Burnaby council recently supported Coquitlam in an application to increase building height and density at 319 North Rd.

But Burnaby staff also raised concerns about the impact of the change on traffic and called for a traffic study on North Road.

http://www.canada.com/coquitlamnow/n...b249be&k=68783

[SpongeG]

New project turns into sellout

Surrey Now


Tuesday, October 02, 2007


Talk about a hot real estate market.

Fuse, a 33-flat and 52-townhouse complex in Surrey Central's new Upper University District, sold out in a matter of hours.

Buyers snapped up the units at prices ranging from $129,000 for studio flats to $398,000 for the larger four-bedroom town homes.

"We are thrilled by the response to Fuse but not surprised," says developer Rav Hayer, president of Hayer Homes.

"Surrey Central is a real up-and-coming neighbourhood. When we started searching the Lower Mainland for a new development site, nothing compared to this in terms of cultural and civic amenities, nearby shopping and restaurants and easy access to public transit. The future of Greater Vancouver is right here."

Fuse, located near the corner of Old Yale Road and 133rd Street, is just steps from Central City SkyTrain station and a half-hour ride from Vancouver, allowing residents to ditch their cars.

Mark Belling, president of Fifth Avenue Real Estate, the project marketers, says his company limited purchases to two homes per customer to avoid bulk buying by real estate speculators.

http://www.canada.com/surreynow/news...96f467&k=37922