Quote:
Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket
A little more info about the Dundurn International Exhibition Centre and the company, Brightenview, and its concept from Saskatoon S-P. It sounds like a mixed lot of optimism, skepticism and intrigue for this project.
Dundurn megamall would be largest in North America
By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix December 18, 2012 7:59 AM |
I would have to admit that I'm a bit skeptical that this project would go through. Primarily as others have pointed out there doesn't seem to be any sort of track record with this group. But that doesn't necessarily make them a bunch of scammers it just means I've never heard of them before.
But as long I hear that the municipality, government or public aren't on the hook for anything. And this project is being financed by the private sector and the developer is taking the risk then I would say my mind is open and this project is not out of the question. Correct me if I wrong but so far at least I haven't read anywhere that the developer is looking for any type of handouts from the government.
While I won't say its so until I actually see shovels turning I don't agree with some of the reasons some skeptics say this project will never happen. For one this seems to be basically an Outlet Mall a large one at that. But my information is that this type of Mall being proposed does exist in other parts of the world.
The proposed location is not all that surprising to me. I've never been to a Outlet Mall that was located within a large urban city. I'm sure some exist somewhere but I find they tend to be located outside major cities in some small town or along an interstate highway. So Dundurn as the location doesn't seem to be that farfetched to me.
Getting enough land for project this size is problematic enough. And certainly I have to believe that the cost of land outside of Dundurn is goring for far less than outside of a Vancouver or Toronto. And since the market for this mall is not just retail buyers but corporate buyers. It doesn't mean that you need to be situated outside a large city like Toronto. If you are corporate purchaser for Home Depot for example. Getting to Saskatoon probably isn't any more difficult than any other major city in this country.
I know Saskatoon has direct flights to most major cities in Canada. And if you are flying in from a New York, Miami, Houston etc. Unless you are flying into a hub like Toronto. You're probably going to have to connect at least once to go to a city like Vancouver or Edmonton etc. No different than if you were flying into Saskatoon.
So if I was from Dundurn I wouldn't bet the farm it's gonna happen. But if it does it does and if it doesn't it doesn't. So long as the developer is putting up the money and taking the risk let them fly at it. But if someone comes to your door or phones you at six p.m. as your sitting down to dinner. And says "Have I got a deal for you, how would you like to get in on the ground level...". Then I'd be running for the hills.
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