Downtown history has a date with the wrecking ball
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...-wrecking-ball
One of the city’s most powerful downtown property owners is planning a massive new development in the core.
David Blanchard hopes to create a new block of commercial, retail, and residential space in the block between Gore Park, Main Street E., James St. and Hughson St. His firm, Wilson and Blanchard, already owns most of the property within that block.
Blanchard envisions a two-storey grocery store opening off the South side of Gore Park, an office tower, hundreds of underground and above-ground parking spots, and a condo tower fronting onto Main Street.
If the project moves forward, Blanchard says it will be the largest downtown development since Jackson Square was built in the sixties.
However, there are still many obstacles that lie in front of the project. Several buildings of historical interest on King St. are slated for demolition in order to make way for the development. Blanchard also stresses that the project is still in early days and the exact details could still change.
Still, Blanchard’s property manager Rob Miles said they hope to begin demolition June 1