It’s been years in the making, but a rezoning bid to redevelop the Broadway-Commercial Safeway site has finally been unveiled in the city of Vancouver.

Perkins architectural firm

The application calls for a mixed-use development with residential units (condo, rental and social housing); retail and office space; a childcare facility; a grocery store; and a new public Plaza.

The three proposed residential towers are provided for 24, 27 and 30 floors above the retail level, while 520 condos and 160 rental units are included in the project. The public square will run parallel to the SkyTrain station.

“The submission is consistent with the Grandview woodlands plan-a mixed use development of retail, housing, office, public spaces and amenities,” Westbank spokeswoman Jill Killeen told the courier-Mail. “The proposal has evolved since the preliminary open door statement with public consultation and input from the city. One of the key differences is that the development now accommodates a large area on site, in the classroom, for the benefit of the community. The Safeway store will remain on the same level and will be located in a classroom adjacent to the new Plaza.”

Safeway has a long-term lease on the site that is over 50 years old.

Bing Tom’s architectural firm was involved in the development plans until he died suddenly in 2016.

At a city Council meeting in 2016 about the district’s community plan, Tom said: “We believe there is an opportunity here to create a different kind of, say, medium density and medium growth kind of development on this particular block that could be quite interesting for families and encourage a different prototype in terms of buildings in areas that are surrounded by single-family homes.”

Killeen said his contribution, which the rezoning app characterizes as “nine big ideas” will be reflected in the renovation. The ideas speak to themes including family reunification, creating a “vibrant local economy,” green urbanism, and family space.

“The big ideas from Bing Thom are still very much embedded in the project, and will remain so,” she said, describing Perkins

An open day on the application of re-zoning is expected to take place this fall. A public hearing is likely to take place sometime next year.

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