The Safeway is getting exterior and interior upgrades but the 'big' news is that a temporary transit plaza linking the mall to the LRT stop is starting construction this fall and ending next spring. The plaza is being referred to as the first step in the mall redevelopment process and would be replaced by the 'formal' transit plaza once development reaches the southern portion of the mall site.
The temporary transit plaza just provides a nicer connection from the mall to the station than a normal sidewalk. When the mall is redeveloped, the permanent transit plaza is slated to go in the parking lot by the safeway. The city mandated that the temporary plaza be built before any redevelopment takes place. The renderings for the temporary one were just linked; here's where the permanent one will be in relation to the development. You can find it in the approved rezoning document.
This may or may not be related to the Bonnie Doon Development but just had a look at the Mayor's Lobbyist Registry and noticed that a company called "Sequence Strategies" met with a representative of the City on March 22, 2021 and earlier on January 8, 2021. Both were considered lobbyist meetings about a "development opportunity" and were on behalf of B+A Planning (which is why I'm thinking its about Bonnie Doon as its their only current Edmonton project on their website.) Something could slowly be brewing (or its about another project ).
Too bad they didn't leave one of those in drive and put a hole through for 84 or 86 Ave. I look forward to when I can walk along 84 or 86 or is it both, instead of going all the way around the mall.
Too bad the mall isn't taking the opportunity of the momentum in the area to move forward with more than just this walkway and not a new mixed use building on the property too.
I reached out to the planners that were working on Connect Bonnie Doon and they are in the initial planning and design stages of the first phase of residential development which will be on the western part of the property. He also noted Morguard will be launching a new website later this summer to keep the community informed.
I can guess that there may be two reasons for this: 1. to ensure that the "has been" mall gets primary concern for redevelopment and 2. to ensure that LRT adjacent buildout (the prime space) is not developed and then the rest of the property ignored. Similar reasons from the City's perspective that the public park components are not ignored and are built out first. I think that it is smart development procedure for what intends to be an over all intense project.
To change the Use from a General Retail Store to an Indoor Participant Recreation Services Use; and to construct exterior and interior alterations; and to demolish a portion of an existing mezzanine. (Planet Fitness)
To change the Use from a General Retail Store to an Indoor Participant Recreation Services Use; and to construct exterior and interior alterations; and to demolish a portion of an existing mezzanine. (Planet Fitness)
Darn, I read 'in progress' and 'demolish [...] an existing mezzanine' and got very excited haha. But at least this can bring some fresh life into the mall; the stores there badly need more traffic. I wonder if this gym will go in the old Albert's that closed down a while back. I can't think of any other vacant spaces which are gym-sized.
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