A new public plaza will be developed at a prominent entrance to Ladner Village.
The city has issued a request for proposals for detailed design services for the Stokes Cullis Plaza at 5084-5094 47A Ave, located at the corner of Elliot Street, Arthur Drive and Ladner Trunk Road.
The design is expected to represent the values and key features of the area.
“This right of way is to be developed into a vibrant public plaza at this prominent location at the entrance to Ladner Village, serving to welcome both residents and visitors alike to the unique setting and experiences. Acknowledgement of the historic fishing and farming industries, which were key aspects to the establishment of the community is desired, along with creation of a recognizable entrance to Ladner Village. The project incorporates public seating and gathering opportunities,” the request for proposals explains.
The city also notes it had already retained an external design firm to develop numerous concepts for the plaza based on themes relevant to the Ladner Village, while also drawing inspiration from the planning work associated with the Ladner Village waterfront.
“Through consultation, the theme referencing the industrial aspect of the fishing and farming industries was identified as most impactful with the use of large-scale timbers for seating elements and metals for other plaza features. Considerable work has been undertaken to create a conceptual design, and a number of decisions have been made with respect to features desirable and otherwise. The City of Delta does not wish to revisit these choices. Instead it is seeking a qualified design team to complete the detailed design, prepare tender-ready drawings and specifications, and oversee the project during construction,” the request for proposal adds.
The building at the corner was redeveloped last year, involving the partial demolition and renovation of an existing commercial structure.
The two-storey building was built in 1907, but was not included in Delta's Urban Heritage Inventory or the Delta Heritage Register due to past alterations and additions.
The Stokes and Cull building served as a butcher shop both under the original owners and then various owners until the early 1970s.
The heritage look was restored with the later addition removed.
The city also entered into a statutory right-of-way agreement with the owner, the Lowe family, to allow the development of the plaza over a portion of the property where the addition was removed.
Initial concept plans for the new plaza were then prepared that included oversized, boldly coloured planters to act as a visual anchor to welcome visitors. One of the planters would be higher and ringed with wooden seating, while a lower planter's edge would provide additional seating.
The planters would be illuminated in the evening.
An earlier staff report noted that the publicly accessible plaza was estimated to cost approximately $200,000.
