Public curiosity runs high as site clearing continues for the newest addition to Grandview Corners’ urbanized landscape – a planned Superstore and gas bar on the southeast corner of 24 Avenue and 160 Street in South Surrey.
Ontario-based Loblaw Companies Ltd. started work last month following approval of building permits for a 122,692-square-foot Real Canadian Superstore, plus gas bar and convenience store.
Timeline for completion of the project has not been announced by Loblaw, and project spokespeople were not available by Peace Arch News’ press time Monday.
The project has been in the works since 2005 when Loblaw first received zoning for the 20-acre site, which faces the Wal-Mart across 160 Street.
An overhauled project – including changes to the gas station component – was approved by Surrey council in October.
The revision more than doubled the size of the gas station convenience store space (to 65 square metres or 790 square feet) and added a propane fuel pump.
Changes in rules governing gas stations since the company gained approval for the project layout now require that alternative fuel services are provided, while the allowable size of gas station convenience stores has increased.
At the same time, the profile of the Superstore has been reduced twice, in 2009 and 2011, from an initially-planned 186,000-square-foot big-box outlet.
The most recently approved plan is for a two-storey building with one level of underground parking.
Plans for the main-floor retail area include an optical centre, plus a bakery, cooler and freezers. Also included is a garden centre on the southwest corner of the development, at the same level as the underground parkade.
A medical centre initially envisioned for the site appears to have been eliminated from plans.
