Here is today's leader post article about the Golden Mile. I recall this being mentioned as a sight for another superstore earlier in this thread.(not sure what the rules are when it comes to paid sites)
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/regina/Renovation+works+Golden+Mile/10706366/story.html
"REGINA — One of Regina’s commercial landmarks looks like it’s in line for a dramatic facelift.
The Golden Mile Centre, widely described as the city’s first shopping mall, will likely be renovated this spring.
SmartCentres, which acts as the leasing agent for the property owners, Retrocom REIT, filed a request for development permit with the City of Regina in December.
The permit verifies the land-use at the location is consistent with zoning bylaws.
It proposes an upgrade in excess of $20 million to the mall by deconstructing the centre portion of the mall to allow for a larger, anchor tenant. The permit lists a grocery store, but which company would move into the space isn’t being confirmed at this time.
The Extra Foods would be renovated to host small-to-medium-sized tenants.
SmartCentres must file for a building permit with the city before breaking ground.
The Broken Rack and Rainbow Cinemas would likely be left alone in the renovation, as would the RBC — which just did a costly renovation of its own — and Smitty’s Restaurant and gas bar.
Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, said some of the existing tenants will be moved into the building that is currently Extra Foods.
“It will be based on whether the tenant wants to stay, first of all. If they’re willing to be relocated, if there’s another spot for them in the mall or if they have the ability to pay,” said Kaiser.
Most store owners at the Golden Mile won’t be surprised by this news. Rumours have been floating around the halls since at least fall.
One store owner, who didn’t want to have his name used for fear of being evicted, said the months of rumours have been frustrating.
“Most businesses usually put together a business plan. You may make special purposes, you have different marketing plans. With something like this hanging over your head, when you may be evicted at any time, how do you make a plan going forward?” he said, adding Golden Mile management has been reluctant to share any specific information on the mall’s future.
“We’re their customers, and if I treated my customers that way we’d be out of business years ago,” he said.
Other owners fear whether or not they would be included in future plans.
“You’re trying to keep your business alive so you can live, and they won’t tell (me) anything,” said another owner, who also didn’t want his name used.
Kaiser said a number of current tenants are paying month-to-month, which reflects they are not committed to staying in the mall. Others, she said, are paying minimal rent.
“For a shopping centre, that’s not sustainable. You simply can’t have tenants who aren’t even covering your costs, and that’s what we have today,” she said.
Rent prices weren’t released, but tenants can expect prices to go up after the renovations are finished. SmartCentres is also the leasing agent for Southland Mall: after its renovation, rent prices increased.
Kaiser said some tenants will have the opportunity to move from the Golden Mile to Southland.
Fred Radom, owner of Styles for All — located in the mall since 1967 — is moving into a location at River Heights Shopping Centre at the end of the month.
“I wouldn’t have minded (staying), but I was glad to find a place close by,” he said.
Radom tried renewing his lease with SmartCentres but the deal broke down and he has been paying month-to-month since.
The block on which the mall sits has a long history. In the late 1920s it was an airfield. The site hosted a motel and restaurant in the mid-1950s and later, the city’s first Loblaws grocery store.
— with files from Will Chabun"
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