The old Labatt's Brewery site is going to be developed into a major comprehensive area. Apparently there will be a major focus on medical office space, given the proximity to Royal Columbian Hospital. While this will fill a short term need, what is the plan for this space 15-20 years down the road?
The city has rightly recognized that Royal Columbian will gradually decrease in significance in the Fraser Health Authority as services migrate more towards the centre of mass for the region. What will become of all these medical spaces as that happens? Will Sapperton become a third office district, after Downtown and Uptown? Does the city need a third area, and can it support it?
On a much smaller, but still significant scale, Royal City Centre has finally found a tenant for the old Zellers spot. I believe the fitness centre will fill a gap in uptown. It was empty when I moved here a year ago, I wondered how the mall was managing with that major spot location vacant. Also, two small storefronts look nearly done at 6th and 6th where there used to be a Japanese restaurant. No signs of any tenants there yet though.
