REPORTER: Thank you for listening to
News at 9. I’m your host, Don Clayton. Tonight’s top story is the city council’s recently announced
plans for the construction of a large shopping complex about twenty-minutes east of the downtown
core.
City
developers have successfully negotiated with a private landowner to purchase
a long-vacant lot on the edge of the city’s east side. Originally, the owner
of the lot, Mr.
Ian Sands, was
resistant to the city’s offers, and hoped to get a better return on his investment ten or
twenty years down the line. However, the city threatened to take Mr. Sands to
court for withholding valuable urban property from much-needed development.
Ultimately, after legal consultations, he decided to settle the matter
outside of court, and accepted the city’s generous offer.
The
reasons for using the space to build a shopping complex are multifold. First,
the eastern border of the city, wedged between an urban residential
neighbourhood and a sprawling suburb, is notably lacking in shopping options.
The nearest major grocery store is a twenty-minute drive, or a forty-minute
bus ride, away. Second, the complex would create jobs for hundreds of people,
and alleviate the need for locals to make long commutes to work. But most
importantly, city planners hope that the complex will serve as a community
gathering point, drawing people of all ages with its inclusion of family-oriented entertainment
and event facilities.
Although
architectural plans for the building have yet to be confirmed by city
officials, our sources have provided us with a basic overview of the designs
submitted last week for approval. We know that the entire complex will be
indoors, except for the parking lots that are to be uncovered and located at
the north and south entrances. At the centre of the complex will be an
amusement park, complete with a roller coaster. Planners expect the park to
be an attraction for both locals and tourists alike.
To
the east of the amusement park will be the main shopping area. It is expected
to house four major department stores and around sixty smaller stores. According to reports, Best
Home, Sears, Jasper’s, and Hampton have won the bids for the department store
spaces. The other stores will be contracted out in the coming months, with
the largest portion of contracts going to clothing retailers and electronics
suppliers. However, the mayor has promised that a percentage of the spaces
will be offered to local crafters and manufacturers, to ensure that the
complex supports local products.
If
you are in need of foodstuffs, there will be a three-story Dunman’s Grocery
just south of the amusement park. The store will have its own entrance so
that those stopping by for groceries on their way home from work don’t have
to fight the mall crowds. As the largest grocery store in a twenty-mile radius, it is expected
to draw a lot of business, and will therefore have extended hours from 7 a.m.
to 11 p.m. daily.
On
the opposite side of the complex, north of the amusement park, mall goers
will have the option of catching a movie in a seven-theatre cinema. These
facilities will largely cater to the teenage crowd, but will provide
entertainment for the entire community.
Of
course, where there are movies, there are always good places to eat! The far
west wing of the complex is to be designated as a dining area, hosting both
restaurants and fast food venues. Rather than placing the food court in the
centre of the shopping area, as in most malls, designers are experimenting
with separate sections
dedicated to both low-cost and high-end eating options, which will better
cater to a diversity of needs.
There
were originally plans to
include meeting spaces and event rental facilities in the west wing, but
ultimately the idea would not prove cost effective. Instead, officials have
promised to develop more of such spaces closer to downtown.
Construction
is expected to begin next month, and will be completed by the first of September,
just in time to kick off the back-to-school shopping season. To find out more
about the new complex, or to register for updates on its development, visit
the Harbour City website at www.harborcitysource.au.
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