A Port Alberni contractor has plans to build a light industrial mall off of Cherry Creek Road, in behind the Alberni Mall.
Colin Evans of Complete Contracting was in front of city council at a public hearing on Nov. 23 to update the city on his plans to build a multi-unit light industrial mall by the existing Alberni Mall in 2016.
“The proposal is to construct a building for the applicant’s contracting business and then in addition the applicant would build multiple other units to lease to other types of light industrial or service commercial buildings,” said city planner Scott Smith.
“The area is primarily commercial and light industrial… from a traffic management perspective this property is at a good location for light industrial uses.”
The property in question is 3.2 acres located at 4905 Cherry Creek Rd. behind Home Hardware and was sold to Evans by the city earlier this year.
Prior to being sold, Smith said that the area had remained vacant for years.
Evans said that he hopes to start construction on the property by mid-spring 2016.
“We would like to start breaking ground in April,” Evans said, adding that he is also applying for a development permit application.
The size of the units in the proposed industrial mall will vary with the community’s needs, Evans added.
“The style of the building allows for two units to get amalgamated together to increase the size depending on what the tenant wants,” Evans said.
“Initially, we see sizes between 1,400 sq. ft. and units could range up to 4,000-5,000 sq. ft.”
However, Evans sees small units as a priority.
“We right now see a need for smaller types of businesses in Port Alberni. The spaces that are available seem to be too large right now.”
Evans said that currently, his business will take up two units and that applications for others will be taken later as the project progresses.
The property in question also contains sanitary and storm sewer mains under a 20-metre right of way, as well as a smaller access to the Alberni Mall, something that Smith said limits development on the property.
However, the right-of-way area can still be used for access, parking and non-permanent storage, the advisory planning commission’s report stated.
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