This 1968 photo that ran in the Optimist shows a sign announcing the proposed $1.2 million Delta Fair shopping centre at the southwest corner of 56th Street and 12th Avenue.
Municipal council at the time had not yet decided on zoning for the area or the proposed “town centre” around the intersection.
Fast forward over 50 years and a major redevelopment has pitched for the Town Centre Mall by Century Group.
Century Group president Sean Hodgins held an open house at the mall in April 2019 to unveil a proposed master plan for the site, showing a concept aimed at transforming the dated shopping centre into a mixed-use urban village.
That proposal was for 700 condo units in eight low-to medium-rise buildings as well as a new library at the heart of the development, an amenity that would be given to the city which currently doesn’t own the Tsawwassen Library branch.
The concept also had 120,000 square feet of ground-level retail.
The open house was to gather feedback and although Hodgins noted it was mostly positive, no development application has been submitted to the city.
He said was unsure when a formal application would be submitted.
In an interview in late 2019, Hodgins noted he felt disrespected by the current city administration following comments made at Delta council by the mayor when the proposed Four Winds craft brewery and restaurant application at the Southlands was defeated.
