sa国际传媒 city councillors like the far-off future imagined by a massive redevelopment plan for the former Tolko mill site on the downtown north endsa国际传媒 waterfront.听
The ambitious project to be developed over decades on the 40-acre site envisions about 20 high-rises with at least 3,500 homes, and new parks, offices, shops, and community amenities like an arts and cultural centre or an indoor soccer pitch.
Many details remain to be worked out and the timeline for actual construction is unclear, but the concept plan presented Monday to city councillors won effusive praise for what they said was its attractiveness and thoughtfulness.听
Some councillors who were critical of earlier concept plans for what they said was its blocky arrangement of high-rises and lack of green space and public amenities termed the new proposal a considerable improvement.听
鈥淚 have to say this is day and night to what we had previously. I am really excited about a number of aspects,鈥 said Coun. Loyal Wooldridge, specifically mentioning the addition of a hotel to the site.听
鈥淭oday, I have a lot more confidence in what we envision and what you are proposing,鈥 Coun. Mohini Singh told representatives of Vernonsa国际传媒 Tolko family, who own the site and are paying for the redevelopment plan with guidance and oversight from city staff.听
The exact height and location of the various high-rises must still be determined through individual decisions of councils that are years, even decades, in the future.听
鈥淎s we develop each and every property there will be a conversation with council about the merits of the height and density,鈥 Mark Marshall of Vernon-based Holar Development said. 鈥淥ver thirty years, things change so significantly, in building codes and building technology.鈥澨
Eighteen per cent of the property would be deducted to parks and open space. 鈥淭hatsa国际传媒 really awesome to see,鈥 Wooldridge said. 鈥淚tsa国际传媒 going to have some significant public benefit. . . The overall submission is really strong.鈥
Other features of the concept plan that won praise from council include the environmental restoration of Sutherland Bay to make it suitable for swimming, in a reclamation process for which the details and funding sources are currently unknown; the creation of public parks atop some of the parkades; and retention and adaptation for other use of some of the remnant industrial buildings and features still on the mostly cleared site.听
鈥淚 think the creativity in using the historic buildings is great,鈥 said Coun. Rick Webber.听
鈥淎ll these great heritage items are being incorporated into a new vision, which will be a draw much like Granville Island (in Vancouver) has unique draws that we love to go and see,鈥 said Coun. Luke Stack.听
Itsa国际传媒 also possible an elementary school could be built on the property at some point in the future, council heard.听
The unavoidable uncertainties of the plan at this stage, and its long-range aspect, was noted by several councillors. 鈥淚 know we won鈥檛 be on council when this is done. We may not even be alive,鈥 Singh said.听
To that, Mayor Tom Dyas quipped, referring to the youngest member of council, the 41-year-old Wooldridge: 鈥淟oyal may be.鈥
More public meetings on the concept plan will be held in the months ahead with a final plan brought back to council at a later date.听
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