The City of Delta has unveiled its new public plaza in Ladner Village, called Stokes and Cullis Plaza.
Located at the corner of Elliott Street and 47A Avenue, the open space includes seating, planting areas and lighting, with further plans to install “iconic signage” this winter to welcome visitors.
The building at the site was redeveloped a couple of years ago, involving the partial demolition and renovation of a 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 Cullis 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. The family offered their land to Delta as a public right-of-way at the cost of one dollar for a minimum of 20 years as part of the agreement to renovate.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the public space will be getting extra features thanks to a $25,000 contribution from the Ladner Rotary Club. Council agreed to enter into a contribution agreement with the service club to purchase two e-bike charging stations.
“I want to personally thank the Lowe family for coming forward with a generous agreement to enable the City to create a lively public plaza. I also want to recognize the Rotary Club of Ladner for their contribution to this project and in promoting and elevating social spaces to foster community growth,” said Mayor George Harvie in a news release. “This new vibrant plaza welcomes people to the distinct Ladner Village shopping experience, while providing an amazing space for people to socialize and gather.”
The city is responsible for the maintenance of the new public space.
An earlier staff report noted that the publicly accessible plaza would be estimated to cost approximately $200,000.
