Surrey City Centre Redevelopment Plans

[mooks28]

Great project, but remember this isn't Dubai or China. We live in a democratic society with a culture of civic engagement, so this should certainly NOT be rushed.

[mr.x]

wow...hopefully this project won't drag on its feet....it's stunning. And hopefully this also serves as a wake up call for Vancouver.

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by mr.x

wow...hopefully this project won't drag on its feet....it's stunning. And hopefully this also serves as a wake up call for Vancouver.

Really a wake up call to Vancouver? That's a bit premature. Vancouver is just putting the finishing touches on the Olympic Village. A whole new neighbourhood. That entire SEFC area will become home to some 20,000 people once built out. Then you have NEFC, East Fraserlands and thats another 30,000 plus residents they plan to house in the next 10 years or so. Those are just the larger scale projects they'll be undertaking.

Vancouver doesn't need to wake up. Sure it ain't perfect a few more office buildings would be nice. Surrey needs to stop pretending its a real city and cater build their city centre, not the regions city centre.

[surrey1]

i think this entire project will be completed within 5 years (with the exception of the 2nd hotel/office tower).
40 mill is arleady allocated for (with the city only paying 10 mill)
the library is part of the federal stimulus package. .with one of the contigencies of funding is to begin contruction soon in order to create jobs.
the design of the library is confusing. in one picture its a continous ramp. . in the other it shows 3 seperate floors, not sure how it can be both.
if it is just one giant ramp .. seems like a waste of floor space to me. im all for creative designs. .but that should be mainly the exterior. .the goal of the library should be to make it as big as possible.
in the arts centre .. the yshould ditch the smaller studio. .and just make the main theatre bigger. . 1600 seats is a nice size for now .. but in the future when surrey becomes a major downtown its going to be too small to compete for major attractions with downtown vancouver .. the qe and others have capacities of about 3000.

[LeftCoaster]

^40 million?? The office and city hall complex alone will run upwards of a quarter of a billion dollars... 40mil is a drop in the bucket.

The complex looks great, I dont think it is going to send too strong of a message to Vancouver, but it is a great movement in the right direction for surrey and a message to developers that city hall has faith in the rebirth of Whalley.

Here's to hoping it gets build sometime within a decade...

[Whalleyboy]

The only wake up call i see it calling to Vancouver is the civic plaza part.

I can see getting done quick then 10 years with Watts in charge. Dont forget sfu is putting money into part of this(from what i read the other day sfu surrey needs this expansion) So we got municipal, provincial, federal governments and sfu all putting money into this. The only thing i see not going up quickly is the hotel/office tower
But then again what do we need the hotel for when berezan got on planed on top of a casino(i really hope the casino does get built)=P

Also i think the theater could be expanded down the line if need arises.

[nickinacan]

I think we should all forget about the competing with Vancouver thing. Vancouver is the dominant city in the area and will be for some time. I am not saying that Surrey won't usurp the throne (Vancouver did the same to New Westminster) but there is still a LONG way to go.

I think what these proposals show is a strong dedication by the city to invest in making it's new city centre plan a reality. People may think that this is just a new city hall, a new library, new theatres, a renovated and updated transit hub and a gussied up King George "Boulevard", but what this really signals is the true birth of the City of Surrey as a regional power.

If you look back at the other dominant cities in BC history (Fort Langley, New Westminster, Victoria and now Vancouver) they all have the same thing in common: Major institutional investment by the government. The point of which each city became successful was when the government decided to invest in that city. Major public investment attracts further private investment.

Vancouver would not be what it is today without commercial and cultural investment projects such as the Canadian Pacific Rail terminal, BC Place & Expo 86, and now the 2010 Olympics. Surrey historically has never had the same opportunities due to its farming then bedroom community roots. All levels of government (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) are currently investing in new projects in the city centre area. If this is not a sign of things to come, then I don't know what is.

It sounds like this is pretty much the final plan for the area. Now it is just logistics. They already have the estimated price tag for the developments ($500 Million!!! This is the same as the original estimate of the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion, just so you know the significance of it) so it is serious. I could see them starting the projects in the next year to two years as parts of the funding has time constraints that they will need to take advantage of. Hopefully this development will attract some new mixed use buildings and maybe even a couple corporate head offices. Now for my comments regarding this project:

1) City Hall/SFU/Office Tower/Civic Plaza - Great concept and design. It would definitely compliment Central City and provide much needed municipal presence in the area. The City of Surrey is one of the largest employers in Surrey, so this would add a significant amount of people in the area. The plaza design is excellent and has not changed from the other concepts. The SFU expansion is one of the Federal Government's economic stimulus projects and would generate more employment and student traffic in the area. The public viewing area on top of the tower is a huge bonus.

2) Library/Theatres/Hotel/Office Tower - I have been to the library in Seattle and sections of it are a similar spiral design. This, of course is on the scale of the Vancouver Central Library. the Surrey Library would be only a fifth of the size so it would be much more intimate in scale. I think the open design makes it much more attractive and welcoming than the Seattle Library. The addition of the theatres provides much needed performing arts space. The main theatre provides the largest seating capacity in the city (About 600 more than the Bell Centre for the Performing Arts). The smaller venue is also a welcome addition for smaller community productions and meetings. The hotel and office tower is a great additional feature to the area.

3) King George Highway Beautification - Is there anything really to say? Do it! And get rid of all the surface parking (Central City customers can use the parkade).

4) Transit Village/Skytrain Station Expansion - The removal of the bus loop is a great way to free up development space and get people walking. Hopefully it would expedite the removal of those ghetto fabulous developments on the east side of the parkway.

Bonus: Notice the underground parkades for the two major developments? Very nice touch.

[Whalleyboy]

Originally Posted by nickinacan

I think we should all forget about the competing with Vancouver thing. Vancouver is the dominant city in the area and will be for some time. I am not saying that Surrey won't usurp the throne (Vancouver did the same to New Westminster) but there is still a LONG way to go.

I think what these proposals show is a strong dedication by the city to invest in making it's new city centre plan a reality. People may think that this is just a new city hall, a new library, new theatres, a renovated and updated transit hub and a gussied up King George "Boulevard", but what this really signals is the true birth of the City of Surrey as a regional power.

If you look back at the other dominant cities in BC history (Fort Langley, New Westminster, Victoria and now Vancouver) they all have the same thing in common: Major institutional investment by the government. The point of which each city became successful was when the government decided to invest in that city. Major public investment attracts further private investment.

Vancouver would not be what it is today without commercial and cultural investment projects such as the Canadian Pacific Rail terminal, BC Place & Expo 86, and now the 2010 Olympics. Surrey historically has never had the same opportunities due to its farming then bedroom community roots. All levels of government (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) are currently investing in new projects in the city centre area. If this is not a sign of things to come, then I don't know what is.

It sounds like this is pretty much the final plan for the area. Now it is just logistics. They already have the estimated price tag for the developments ($500 Million!!! This is the same as the original estimate of the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion, just so you know the significance of it) so it is serious. I could see them starting the projects in the next year to two years as parts of the funding has time constraints that they will need to take advantage of. Hopefully this development will attract some new mixed use buildings and maybe even a couple corporate head offices. Now for my comments regarding this project:

1) City Hall/SFU/Office Tower/Civic Plaza - Great concept and design. It would definitely compliment Central City and provide much needed municipal presence in the area. The City of Surrey is one of the largest employers in Surrey, so this would add a significant amount of people in the area. The plaza design is excellent and has not changed from the other concepts. The SFU expansion is one of the Federal Government's economic stimulus projects and would generate more employment and student traffic in the area. The public viewing area on top of the tower is a huge bonus.

2) Library/Theatres/Hotel/Office Tower - I have been to the library in Seattle and sections of it are a similar spiral design. This, of course is on the scale of the Vancouver Central Library. the Surrey Library would be only a fifth of the size so it would be much more intimate in scale. I think the open design makes it much more attractive and welcoming than the Seattle Library. The addition of the theatres provides much needed performing arts space. The main theatre provides the largest seating capacity in the city (About 600 more than the Bell Centre for the Performing Arts). The smaller venue is also a welcome addition for smaller community productions and meetings. The hotel and office tower is a great additional feature to the area.

3) King George Highway Beautification - Is there anything really to say? Do it! And get rid of all the surface parking (Central City customers can use the parkade).

4) Transit Village/Skytrain Station Expansion - The removal of the bus loop is a great way to free up development space and get people walking. Hopefully it would expedite the removal of those ghetto fabulous developments on the east side of the parkway.

Bonus: Notice the underground parkades for the two major developments? Very nice touch.

dont forget that things like
rcmp e division
outpatient hospital
District Education and Conference Centre
and the new hospital add on
will all bring even more people to the city centre area
sure most arent in the centre its self but there close enough

[surrey1]

have they begun construction on the e divisions headquarters yet?

[vansky]

Originally Posted by mooks28

Great project, but remember this isn't Dubai or China. We live in a democratic society with a culture of civic engagement, so this should certainly NOT be rushed.

if the chinese way is the fast way, then

borrow everything that works...progress is the hard truth,

first quote is mine, second one is my grandson's...

in a good design sense, maybe public consultation is needed...but then, we r slow even after that process...i'm no insider of this, so can't comment deeper..

[WaxItYourself]

I just wonder where the museum they had planned is going to go in, if at all.

[twoNeurons]

I think you could see the balance of power shift to Surrey if they get a lot of workers.

It's a little like Long Beach ( not in most ways... just one ).

Long Beach is a Satellite of LA. Not really part of it, but connected via LRT. Long Beach is a great place to live, whereas LA is where people work.

Could something similar happen to Surrey? Could it become the economic powerhouse? Of course it's a little different scenario here, but it's interesting to postulate. It's not as if Vancouver's building more office towers, and Surrey's towers will be a lot cheaper... who knows, Vancouver could become a resort town in a way that we don't think... people live in Vancouver and "reverse commute"

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

I think you could see the balance of power shift to Surrey if they get a lot of workers.

It's a little like Long Beach ( not in most ways... just one ).

Long Beach is a Satellite of LA. Not really part of it, but connected via LRT. Long Beach is a great place to live, whereas LA is where people work.

Could something similar happen to Surrey? Could it become the economic powerhouse? Of course it's a little different scenario here, but it's interesting to postulate. It's not as if Vancouver's building more office towers, and Surrey's towers will be a lot cheaper... who knows, Vancouver could become a resort town in a way that we don't think... people live in Vancouver and "reverse commute"

I don't envision something happening like that to Surrey. LA and Vancouver are very different. LA has always been more of place to work, where Vancouver is a place to work, live and play. So far Surrey is a place to live and to some extent work. However, living in Surrey we all know the stigma that has and the land once all taken up will lead to higher prices and thus eradicate the main reason people move to Surrey, cheapest real estate within proximity to Vancouver. In terms of play? I don't know what Surrey has to offer other than a few festivals, meh.

Also Vancouver upping New West happened way back when, times are different.

Also Vancouver just built Crossroads which has one "tower" dedicated to office space. Surrey has office space great, but that doesn't mean companies will flock there. Right now the main employer is the government of Canada and SFU. Is JP morgan call centre still there?

Surrey needs to shed its reputation but it won't happen as I think it will always be the butt of jokes. Who cares, I commend Surrey for getting its act together, but I feel its taken to long to get here and will take too long to get to where they want to be. Unless Vancouver doesn't build anything for the next 50 years Surrey I can't envision Surrey becoming an economic powerhouse.

This has Mississauga and Toronto written all over it

[LeftCoaster]

How do we keep coming back to this stupid debate??

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

How do we keep coming back to this stupid debate??

My apologies for carrying on the debate. I will refrain from Vancouver vs Surrey posts from now on

[twoNeurons]

I don't think it's a vs. post. It's all the same Metro.

[wrenegade]

I think this is a fantastic plan. It looks a lot bigger than it actually is, which I hope means it will be able to be completed a little faster and easier. Still though, if this plan is finished within 10 years it will be a big accomplishment.

People need to stop the Vancouver vs. Surrey thing. A project like this shows just how well Surrey can compliment Vancouver, and make the region stronger as a whole.

[SpongeG]

they can coexist

[metroXpress]

^ exactly, two metropolitan cores.

[Whalleyboy]

if anything we should all be glad to have two places so close to one and other