Surrey Updates

[CoryHolmes]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

Any thoughts why the building at 104th Ave and 142 st has never been occupied? No one wants to lease it?

From what I understand, it has more to do with the owners of the building (last I heard, a Teacher's Pension Plan dealie) couldn't agree to what they wanted to go in there, so it was completed but not occupied.

And it sits, unoccupied, to this very day. It's all done and ready to go, but red tape is holding back AFAIK.

[VanCvl]

By Kevin Diakiw - Surrey North Delta Leader


Published: January 11, 2010 8:00 PM
Updated: January 12, 2010 1:27 PM

South Surrey could be home to the city's next casino, if it clears necessary approvals from the province.

But Builder Bob Cheema said Monday said the project at 8 Avenue and 168 Street at this point is about everything but a casino.

On Monday afternoon, Surrey council gave an early nod to Cheema's $180-million development which includes a major 200-suite hotel, and 800-seat convention complete with a casino.

Only minutes after Cheema won his approval, Surrey council temporarily put the brakes on a plan to build a $1.4 billion complex, including a 50-storey tower, commercial complex and casino put forward by developer Ralph Berezan.

Cheema was elated with the news about his project, which passed five-to-four advancing it to public hearing.

He downplayed the casino portion of the project, noting that 80 per cent of his plans regard the hotel and convention centre.

He also points out the province hasn't even considered his property as a potential casino site.

"It's got nothing to do with a casino yet," Cheema said after Monday's council meeting.

However, council's approval opens the door to that possibility, a fact that kept him from receiving unanimous approval.

Apologetic Couns. Barbara Steele and Mary Martin approached Cheema after the meeting saying they loved the project, but couldn't bring themselves to support the casino going forward. Coun. Marvin Hunt opposed it as did Mayor Dianne Watts.

Bose pointed out to his colleagues that should Cheema receive necessary approvals from the province, council has "the prerogative of not approving it down the road."

Several councillors and the mayor had concerns about approving the project at land use before receiving a "comfort letter" from the province indicating it might approve of a casino for the site.

City Manager Murray Dinwoodie told council the province is in the midst of a study regarding potential gaming expansion within the region. Authorities with the province are reticent to indicate how they stand on additional casinos before that feasibility study is complete.

However, council's early nod bodes well for Cheema as the gaming authority rarely goes against the wishes of the host municipality.

Cheema said he wants to get building the hotel and convention centre "ASAP."

Berezan appeared unshaken that council had referred his project back to staff.

"Even if it was approved, we were 26 to 30 months away" from breaking ground, Berezan said. He'll work with staff and imagines he can bring forward a project council will happily support.

Cheema's project will go to public hearing on Monday, Jan. 25.

[email protected]

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Wonder what the concerns were with the Berezan project - mind you, it's so big that there are bound to be concerns.

[Whalleyboy]

DEVIATION FROM PLANS, POLICIES OR REGULATIONS

 The current proposal:

 Does not fully comply with the City’s Gaming Policy No. R-22, in particular with respect to there having been no comfort letter received from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) indicating approval-in-principle of the proposed casino. However, it is noted that previous applications related to gaming facilities in Surrey (Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino and Newton Community Gaming Centre/Newton Bingo Hall) had a letter of endorsement from BCLC when the rezoning applications were processed by the City. The City’s Gaming Policy anticipates that the rezoning of a site to permit a casino use will be processed in parallel with a Gaming Application for the casino on the site. In this case a formal application for a casino to the BCLC is not yet in process. BCLC is responsible for issuing casino licenses. Since an application is not yet in process, no referral of the application has been made by the BCLC to the City, which would be the normal process followed by BCLC if it considers that the application for a casino has merit;

 Does not fully address the urban design guidelines and goals and objectives of the City for City Centre; and

 Does not conform to Roads & Transportation Engineering requirements, particularly with respect to an extension of 98B Avenue through the site between King George Boulevard and Whalley Boulevard.

[nickinacan]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

DEVIATION FROM PLANS, POLICIES OR REGULATIONS

 The current proposal:

 Does not fully comply with the City’s Gaming Policy No. R-22, in particular with respect to there having been no comfort letter received from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) indicating approval-in-principle of the proposed casino. However, it is noted that previous applications related to gaming facilities in Surrey (Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino and Newton Community Gaming Centre/Newton Bingo Hall) had a letter of endorsement from BCLC when the rezoning applications were processed by the City. The City’s Gaming Policy anticipates that the rezoning of a site to permit a casino use will be processed in parallel with a Gaming Application for the casino on the site. In this case a formal application for a casino to the BCLC is not yet in process. BCLC is responsible for issuing casino licenses. Since an application is not yet in process, no referral of the application has been made by the BCLC to the City, which would be the normal process followed by BCLC if it considers that the application for a casino has merit;

 Does not fully address the urban design guidelines and goals and objectives of the City for City Centre; and

 Does not conform to Roads & Transportation Engineering requirements, particularly with respect to an extension of 98B Avenue through the site between King George Boulevard and Whalley Boulevard.

Just because it will probably not have a casino, doesn't mean it can't be an entertainment complex. There are many other ways to entertain people.

[SpongeG]

and its cheaper to entertain people in surrey too - just throw em some duct tape and a box

[nickinacan]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

and its cheaper to entertain people in surrey too - just throw em some duct tape and a box

I had to admit that that was quite funny. But look at it this way. What is the area lacking in terms of entertainment? The nearest movie theatre is either Guildford or Strawberry Hill. There are not very many night "hang out" spots, such as pubs, restaurants, clubs, ect. Even then, people don't go out of their way to go to them. I can't really think of any more, but that's just due to lack of sleep. But regardless, all these amenities should be within walking distance for people. I guess the casino for Berezen failed due to the desired land use of his property by the city. Which on the bright side, means that the city is actually looking at the big picture, not just haphazardly approving everything.

[officedweller]

Thanks.
I'l bet the last two items factored in the decision.

[invisibleairwaves]

So does anyone know if some of the new bus shelters are going to show up in the Cloverdale/Clayton Heights area? There were hardly any here, even before they tore the old ones down.

I'm not too hopeful. The City seems to have forgotten about everything east of 176th.

[sryboy]

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

So does anyone know if some of the new bus shelters are going to show up in the Cloverdale/Clayton Heights area? There were hardly any here, even before they tore the old ones down.

I'm not too hopeful. The City seems to have forgotten about everything east of 176th.

I'm assuming the city will start at Central City, do south Surrey and then Cloverdale Clayton Heights etc.

[Whalleyboy]

not city centre. King George has them popping up all along the road

[VanCvl]

The shelters are going up on 104 and around Guildford. They look great in person - I like the white.

[sryboy]

Here is a blurb from the council meeting held on November 16th:

Item No. R207 Street Name Changes File: 5400-00; 5400-80 (13710)
That Council:
1. Approve the renaming of “King George Highway” to “King George Boulevard”;
2. Approve the renaming of “West Whalley Ring Road” to “University Drive”;
3. Approve the renaming of “East Whalley Ring Road” to “Whalley Drive”;
4. Approve the renaming of all sections of “135 Street” within the City Centre to “City Parkway”;
5. Approve the above-recommended street name changes taking effect on January 31, 2010; and
6. Instruct staff to advise the post office, emergency services and the owners of all properties that have an address that will be affected by these changes and to take all other necessary actions to formalize the road name changes.


So the new signs are going up starting January 31, 2010.

[tybuilding]

What is being built at 176th street and 62 Ave (Cloverdale Fairgrounds Entrance?)

[invisibleairwaves]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

What is being built at 176th street and 62 Ave (Cloverdale Fairgrounds Entrance?)

A rec centre, IIRC.

[Whalleyboy]

Okay so this is nothing all to important but in my mind it was exciting to see
i saw a hot dog vendor at central plaza yesterday.

[Spork]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

Okay so this is nothing all to important but in my mind it was exciting to see
i saw a hot vendor at central plaza yesterday.

An attractive vendor or a hot dog vendor? The former is much more exciting than the latter, as this means that both vendors and attractive people are now coming to Surrey!

[Whalleyboy]

opps for got the dog part was half awake when i posted that
wish it was a hot one though lol

[WaxItYourself]

Yogun Fruz is now open in Surrey Place and a sign went up for where New York Fries use to be. Apparently there is another sub store moving in there called Charley's Grilled Subs.

[mr.A]

RCMP horse stable

RCMP musical ride tent is being prepared

Surrey house tent