Big changes are coming to Lougheed Town Centre, and city council has endorsed the developer’s vision that will transform the mall and surrounding sites into an "urban centre."
As the Burnaby NOW previously reported, Shape Properties, the mall's owner, has applied to transform 24.8 hectares (61.3 acres) of the "Lougheed core area" into a mixed-use, multi-purpose development that is cyclist friendly, with a transit- and pedestrian-oriented focus, to span over several phases.
"(It's) similar to Brentwood," said Coun. Dan Johnston at the Jan. 13 meeting. "At this point, it includes a restoration, regeneration of the library in the area, also the rec centre and potential swimming pool and community police centre."
Johnston said the redevelopment plan is "impressive" and he's looking forward to the results of the consultation process.
The core area is centred on Lougheed mall and is bounded by North Road to the east, Lougheed Highway to the south, Bartlett Court to the west and Cameron Street to the north.
Council's approval means staff can now work with the developer and prepare open houses, where the public can provide input.
"For the citizens who attend the open houses, this has a preliminary approval with council in order to go out for open houses, but those are really conducted by the developer, who is presenting their ideas to the public," said Mayor Derek Corrigan. "We still have to sit in judgment on these plans at some later date, and this means we must maintain, throughout this process, an open mind."
Corrigan said the city and developers will listen to what the public has to say.
"Any time we take an old-fashioned mall and translating it into an urban centre, it is a very, very exciting time for everyone, and there are massive benefits for the surrounding community, not just increased property values, but the kind of amenities offered close to home."
The proposed core elements will include a variety of outdoor and indoor shopping experiences, cafes and restaurants, office space, and high-density residential components designed around public plazas, open space and tree-lined pedestrian streets.
