At least one “village-scale” grocery store appears to be coming to Steveston.
Despite much speculation about a grocer coming to Imperial Landing at Steveston’s waterfront boardwalk, one developer is sidestepping that quagmire and looking elsewhere — the site of Rod’s Building Supplies.
Platform Properties Ltd. held an open house two weeks ago at McMath secondary school to discuss its plans to build a commercial-residential complex bound by Moncton Street, Third Avenue and Chatham Street.
“We’re at the very start of the process and we wanted to get out to the community right at the get go, introduce ourselves and hear from them to get their feedback,” said Kyle Shury, Platform’s principal.
“What we heard strongly is there’s interest in a grocer within the community,” said Shury.
Rod’s plans to stay put until at least the end of 2016, and there has been no ownership change to date. The development is in the early zoning process, added Shury.
Steveston already has one grocery store, the long standing Super Grocer. However, thousands of new residents have moved into the area over the last 15 years and it’s not hard to find chatter in favour of a second option.
Shury said the present building supplies facility could incorporate a “village-scale grocery store” of about 15,000 square-feet, estimated to be slightly bigger than Super Grocer.
Shury said there would also be smaller retail shops along Third Avenue and Moncton Street, with “a couple levels” of residential on top.
The development would be in keeping with the Official Community Plan, he added.
“The intent is to work within the area plan,” said Shury.
About 60 people attended the public forum paid for by Platform Properties.
