Details of the new shopping centre proposed for Salmon Arm on Adams Lake Indian Band land likely won’t be forthcoming until late this year.
Last month, band staff reported that Full Circle Shopping Centres Ltd., represented by Glen Bury – formerly with SmartCentres, is moving forward with plans for the band’s Lot 7, which lies between the Trans-Canada Highway and the back of the Mall at Piccadilly.
Staff said a 49-year lease has been secured for the land through the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada. They understand plans include two large box-type stores as well as a group of 12 to 15 smaller businesses.
The Observer contacted Bury via email, who confirmed his company has entered into a long-term land lease for the 18 acres fronting the Trans-Canada.
“The lands are expected to be developed as a shopping centre and ultimately will provide significant benefits and economic opportunities to both the band membership and the community at large with respect to increased shopping choices, taxes and jobs,” he wrote. “Currently, we are working through the development process and anticipate being able to provide public comments towards the end of the year.”
Meanwhile, over at the 12.3-acre former J.L. Jackson site, the request for proposals (RFP) deadline for the school district office and Columbia Shuswap Regional District office proposed was June 30, so a joint committee will be perusing the proposals on July 14.
The site is bounded by Shuswap Street SW to the east, Third Street SW to the west, Fifth Avenue SE to the south and First Avenue SW to the north.
The deadline for the RFP for the whole site has been extended from June 30 to the end of September. That request focuses on the long-term lease of seven acres targeted for retail, on which permitted uses also include office and residential. The other five acres of the property include the 1.2 acres of the Downtown Activity Centre, which will remain as is.
“We extended the deadline because we didn’t have any significant response to the end of June,” said former School District #83 secretary-treasurer Bruce Hunt, who is handling the J.L. Jackson project. “There are at least two other developments being worked on so it makes it more challenging for the Jackson project.”
He added that the Jackson site is a “tremendous location” as part of the town centre.
To be developed along with the retail area are 1.6 acres designated for affordable housing, 1.5 acres for offices for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and the school district, and one acre of green space.
What’s been known as ‘the hut’ will eventually be demolished, as will the auto shop building on the southwest corner of the property.