Some other interesting bits from the planning PDF: Just 1 level of underground parking, with the access lane shared with Prime's. Landscaping drawings include the scenario of realigning 102A Ave to link with where the bus loop is. Completion by April 2018 is a condition of federal funding.
Shift, do you have any more details about that green lane?
Below is a cross-section of the green lane from the City's design criteria manual. I'm not sure if any of these have been built elsewhere in the city yet, so no examples to pull from. But the lane will have a sidewalk and a boulevard with trees.
From the SFU building planning report:
A new north-south “green” lane will continue along the west edge of the subject site, a continuation of the dedication provided through the “Prime” development at the north. This new lane will facilitate improved vehicular and pedestrian connections through this area.
It basically details the ongoing discussion with SFU and Translink to redo the bus loop + rec center to allow that parking lot to be completely redeveloped as an expanded SFU campus. Shows a before and after from the bus-loop perspective which some of us has seen before but interesting to see the direction they are going.
Here is the plan for the reconfigured bus loop. A few observations:
SFU owns the land south of the new 102A Ave, with this area envisioned for 2 towers on top of presumably new campus space.
The City of Surrey owns the land north of the new 102A Ave, with this area envisioned for a new rec centre (YMCA?) adjacent to Surrey Central Station, and 5 towers over retail/office? podiums all fronting an expanded pedestrian promenade linking Central City to City Hall.
Lots of activity around the site this week. The properties and laneway were officially sealed off today with concrete barriers and some construction fencing. Portable offices were placed on the neighbouring lot over the past few weeks. Looks as though start of excavation could be imminent. Strange because I don't think this one has 4th reading yet.
Looks as though the house next to the site may be coming down, and they may be getting ready to clear the trees on the empty lots along 102A Ave. Saw them cleaning that area up today.
^Nobody has submitted an application yet, but a proposal is probably not too far off based on the rapid development all around it. I know the lot is owned by a developer (much like all land in the area), and it's likely they're already working on plans, just haven't submitted to the City yet.
An SFU residence tower is already underway in the background for the lot where the green house is.
Not wasting any time on this one.. Digging has begun.
Interesting how close this excavation is to the open pit next door at Prime. There will only be 1 level of underground parking though so not much to dig. Building should start to go up fast once dug.
The SFU residence project (site of the green house and tree'd lots to the west) is moving forward behind the scenes but no application has been submitted yet. I'm guessing it won't be too long til SFU submits one.
There are no applications on the white duplex lot, but i'm sure there must be a proposal in the works by someone.
Excavation well underway now. Notice how they have excavated right through to the Prime site. Neighbourhood is feeling like one big construction zone with Prime, SFU, Civic Plaza, and Evolve, and University District all within close distance.
^I expect the rec centre / ice rinks to be torn down within the next 3 years and the final piece of the plaza / flanking parcels to be under construction. Some additional tower projects underway too:
50-Storey Education Centre
University District Phase 2
West Village Phase 5
Townline Homes Old Yale Rd
Wynd
Anthem's First Tower
SFU Phase 3
and maybe 1-2 other West Village area towers currently under application
This is just what I expect to be under construction around Surrey Central. More if you include King George and Gateway.
It's looking like what downtown Vancouver once did before they ran out of room. Out of all the cities trying to build a "downtown," Surrey has the most potential for current and future expansion. Every other location is limited to just a small area! Civic plaza was the catalyst and it looks like a city you'd see in Sci fi movies! Feels like something from the future especially the library design.
__________________
We build higher to live within the clouds.
Toderian points to Thom's design for the redevelopment of Central City in Surrey as one example of how he helped redefine the whole idea of a 'suburban downtown.'
"He was one of these people who challenged the idea that only Vancouver would be an urban place... and he was quite right about that."
I salute him for all the amazing designs that he and his company brought to Surrey.
Thank you Bing RIP.
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