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July 25, 2005Developer begins site preparation for Woodward'sThe Woodward's project took another step forward today with a ceremony that marked the beginning of site preparation. At an event held on the west side of the site, Mayor Larry Campbell was joined by the Woodward's Steering Committee co-chairs Jim Green and Judy Rogers, along with Westbank developer Ian Gillespie and his partner Ben Yeung of Peterson Investment Group Inc. The ceremony, which celebrated the start of Phase Two of the project, marked the beginning of work that will prepare the site for utility and other infrastructure needs before site construction begins. Later this fall, Westbank plans to apply for its development permit, while actual work on the building is expected to begin in mid-2006. The City of Vancouver purchased the Woodward's building from the Province of B.C. back in March 2003. The landmark building, located in the 100 block of West Hastings Street, once served as a major department store, but had sat empty for over a decade. In Phase One of the project, the City undertook a unique process to involve the community and other Vancouver residents in designing and planning the redevelopment of the building. This work culminated in the selection of Westbank Projects/Peterson Investment Group (Henriquez Partners, architects) as the developer for Woodward's. In early 2005, the Portland Hotel Society and Affordable Housing were selected by City Council to operate the 200 units of non-marketing housing that are to be located in the new Woodward's. 125 of these units will be developed for singles housing and the remaining 75 units will be developed for families. In March 2005, Simon Fraser University's School for the Contemporary Arts announced its intentions to move into Woodward's pending budget approval of their final design. SFU would occupy approximately 120,000 square feet of the new development. Also in March 2005, the City formed the Woodward's Community Advisory Committee, an association of local residents and business owners charged with the task of project oversight throughout the detailed design of the project. The CAC will review the service programming of the 31,500 square foot City parcel, which will be the home of future non-profits, community and social organizations. For more information: |
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