Surrey City Centre Redevelopment Plans

[Whalleyboy]

Surrey's trying to get away from suburb and is trying to become a metro core

[paradigm4]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

Surrey's trying to get away from suburb and is trying to become a metro core

Newport and Suterbrook are, IMO, the best examples of urban village style developments *any* city in the Metro could ask for. None of the projects in Surrey even come close to PM's two master devs.

[SpongeG]

those projects had the benefit of a developer able to but the whole area and plan it out and get it built

surrey is being done piece by piece by multiple developers

[whalley13]

Fencing has gone up at 132 and old yale looks like demo happening there soon for condo project and civic area

blocks have been dropped around 132 and king george, looks like excavation starting up

[officedweller]

Lots more library pics dated May 4, 2011:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

[LeftCoaster]

^ Wow, its looking great.

[golog]

it looks like a scene from an alien spaceship

the curves and angles are very pleasing to look at

[VanCvl]

Pretty amazing

[Diet Butcher]

Looks like the Library's Official Grand Opening Celebration will be September 24th http://surreycitycentrelibrary.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/mark-your-calendars/

I'm guessing it will actually be complete in August then?

[Smooth]

I can see this building being used for lots of movie shoots.

[CoryHolmes]

Originally Posted by Smooth

I can see this building being used for lots of movie shoots.

Not Stargate Universe anymore *grumble*

[geoff's two cents]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

I know they want to work on pushing street front stores along king george from 100th onwards. Also city park way i believe in long term goals will be a more street fronting store road too.
Also your wrong about city point it actually has retail on all sides.

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

This is a shame, imo, as 108th seems very well-suited to be a neighbourhood retail node, but the planning hasn't been there thus far. They even call it a "Gateway" district, for crying out loud. Hence my disappointment when I see stuff like this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...=jxq2tahVN1TU9_iehUujVQ&cbp=12,91.2,,0,0

I know this development is older, but it still annoys me: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...6fq_r7dwEt2sLi0_eAxdA&cbp=12,314.21,,0,0

And there's just no excuse for this. In fact, with its separate right-turn lane, I'd say this whole corner is an urban planning disaster. Where in downtown Vancouver would you see something like this? - right next to what is supposed to be an up-and-coming civic plaza nonetheless!: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...Zi4l_l8erOrNWU3YmxHcg&cbp=12,306.79,,0,0

And then there's this truncated streetwall here. Are there any streets, King George and 102 ave aside, for which the city is actually planning an extensive retail streetwall? http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...II6vkoCexa_7eWSyCSsTA&cbp=12,148.68,,0,0

I didn't even bother posting pictures from the corner of 100th and KGB. It's important to keep in mind that these are all supposed to be major arterial streets in an up-and-coming downtown. Spatially-speaking, they're definitely equivalent to the way arterial streets like Davie, Denman, Robson, Granville, Georgia, etc. frame Vancouver's downtown core. While I know Surrey is planning on fine-tuning its street grid over the next 30+ years, thus potentially opening up other areas for retail-oriented, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, I don't understand why most major streets like these, 108th especially, aren't being planned as retail arteries from the get-go. Apologies for the rant, but can anyone help me out with this?

[officedweller]

Looks like the ceiling design in this render was scrapped (skylight is still there) - but otherwise it looks just like the renders!

Originally Posted by itinerant

I found this interior rendering of Bing Thom's new Central Library on ArchDaily (from July 26). Looks like a pretty cool space!


From www.archdaily.com. Image (C) Courtesy of Bing Thom Architects.

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.archdaily.com/70482/surrey-city-centre-library-by-bing-thom-architects/

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by geoff's two cents

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

I agree that Surrey right now seems to have a problem with city planning. When they're trying to develop an integrated city centre and should be focusing majorly on densifying, improving and connecting Whalley, Guildford and Newton, they are trying to stick the majority of people in outbound town centres like Cloverdale and Clayton. So, Surrey, want to urbanize? Get rid of the Calgary-style density in the existing big city first. There's no way this plan of a vibrant, urban city is going to come into place unless we start to entice people to move closer to the city centre in Whalley, Guildford and perhaps Newton, and connecting those more important town centres. Guildford is currently the most walkable neighbourhood in the city of Surrey. i would like to see the same apply to Whalley and Newton first before even thinking of developing elsewhere.

Thinking City-Centre wise... I have a feeling there could be success in taking King George Highway & Whalley Blvd. and turning them into one way streets, 2-3 lanes each with room on the sides similar to Vancouver. This could pave the way for a more urban cityscape, remove the ultra-wide and pedestrian unfriendly 6-lane King George Highway, while still allowing for decent traffic movement through the city. Or, of course, Surrey could take the Burnaby approach and build massive pedestrian overpasses like Burnaby did over Kingsway just lately. On a large scale that doesn't seem a bad idea either, Calgary & Winnipeg downtown centres work well on a system of pedestrian "skyways" connecting indoor downtown commercial establishments.

[whalley13]

City point has retail on both sides...there is some empty units, but sushi resto and convenience store are already open and i saw a sign for another business opening soon.....

I think it is supply and demand....when demand increases city has more clout in the design process Sushi plus is great!.....alot of the stuff on 108th is either older or smaller builders who don't do retail...city can't say no to them when there is not much demand

Reality is more people with money wanna live in the suburb parts of surrey, it is still pretty economical to buy a single detached house in Surrey, so its going to be hard to compete with that, but single lots are running out so people are going to have look to higher density regardless....patience patience patience

but i think this is going to change, as more people are willing to live in city centre....it is still a poor area, so why would u open a decent store thre? patience patience patience

[GMasterAres]

Patience is the key for sure. As long as the retail space is built then it's all good. Businesses change like underwear so the space is the key factor. I'm going to have to try that Sushi place. I'm trying to find a good Sushi place that gives you good sized portions of Sashimi. Most of the places I frequent seem to be giving you less and less for more and more. $8 for 6 thin slices of Salmon Sashimi?? Ridiculous when I can buy a full giant salmon filet from Costco for $17.

I may just have to go to East Van and start buying my own frozen Sashimi grade fish.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Lots more library pics dated May 4, 2011:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreycitycentrelibrary/

wow indeed

[Whalleyboy]

Originally Posted by geoff's two cents

Moved this discussion over to a more appropriate thread. I can't remember for certain last time I took the train out to Surrey, but I seem to recall the retail frontage not extending the full length of the north side of the complex along 108th, which would imply that the streetwall ends there as well.

This is a shame, imo, as 108th seems very well-suited to be a neighbourhood retail node, but the planning hasn't been there thus far. They even call it a "Gateway" district, for crying out loud. Hence my disappointment when I see stuff like this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...=jxq2tahVN1TU9_iehUujVQ&cbp=12,91.2,,0,0

Its worth noting that the gateway office tower district is set to have retail with it

I know this development is older, but it still annoys me: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...6fq_r7dwEt2sLi0_eAxdA&cbp=12,314.21,,0,0

And there's just no excuse for this. In fact, with its separate right-turn lane, I'd say this whole corner is an urban planning disaster. Where in downtown Vancouver would you see something like this? - right next to what is supposed to be an up-and-coming civic plaza nonetheless!: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...Zi4l_l8erOrNWU3YmxHcg&cbp=12,306.79,,0,0

Really when it comes to surrey city centre it kinda dies out as you go past 108 ave and 132 street. Adding alot of retail going the opposite way is just pointless. The real life of surrey is between central and guildford not central and south westminster.

And then there's this truncated streetwall here. Are there any streets, King George and 102 ave aside, for which the city is actually planning an extensive retail streetwall? http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...II6vkoCexa_7eWSyCSsTA&cbp=12,148.68,,0,0

I think this is even more towards a 108 ave retail street are even though it faces whalley blvd.

I didn't even bother posting pictures from the corner of 100th and KGB. It's important to keep in mind that these are all supposed to be major arterial streets in an up-and-coming downtown. Spatially-speaking, they're definitely equivalent to the way arterial streets like Davie, Denman, Robson, Granville, Georgia, etc. frame Vancouver's downtown core. While I know Surrey is planning on fine-tuning its street grid over the next 30+ years, thus potentially opening up other areas for retail-oriented, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, I don't understand why most major streets like these, 108th especially, aren't being planned as retail arteries from the get-go. Apologies for the rant, but can anyone help me out with this?

I will agree with you on the failing of adding retail on 100th and king george kinda. The city centre does kinda end there though Plus with holland park on one side they seem more like there making that whole intersection a plaza on all sides so it more for gathering then shoping.
Its worth noting areas like city park way are already holding a good little stretch of retail all they really need to do to really get it going better is getting rid of safeway and attach to infront of the mall and proper connections at 104ave.

[invisibleairwaves]

I think it's pretty much obvious that D'Corize is an absolute mess at street level, and it definitely makes me question City Hall's commitment to the whole "second metropolitan core" thing. Projects like that certainly have their place in a city, but the intersection of two major roads, kitty-corner from the central public square, is not that place.

Is Quattro 3 going to have retail along 108th? I thought it was aiming towards a retail street on Whalley Blvd, not 108th. I actually think the Whalley Blvd. streetwall is one of the best things about the project. The "truncation" won't be nearly as noticeable once the rest of the street gets redeveloped, I think.

[Whalleyboy]

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

I think it's pretty much obvious that D'Corize is an absolute mess at street level, and it definitely makes me question City Hall's commitment to the whole "second metropolitan core" thing. Projects like that certainly have their place in a city, but the intersection of two major roads, kitty-corner from the central public square, is not that place.

Is Quattro 3 going to have retail along 108th? I thought it was aiming towards a retail street on Whalley Blvd, not 108th. I actually think the Whalley Blvd. streetwall is one of the best things about the project. The "truncation" won't be nearly as noticeable once the rest of the street gets redeveloped, I think.

Its along whalley blvd i just have a feeling there gonna try and stretch retail all along 108ave up to it then go down whalley blvd