Owners of Thornhill's Promenade Mall eye ‘major transformation’ of shopping centre

Public meeting to discuss proposed changes being held at mall Monday, Dec. 10

YorkRegion.com
December 10, 2018
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Owners of Promenade Mall want to propose a “major transformation of the mall” amid changes sweeping the brick and mortar retail business, Vaughan Coun. Alan Shefman said in a statement Thursday, Dec. 6.

Shefman, councillor for Ward 5, said the City of Vaughan has received applications for the “first phase of mixed use development replacing the vacant Sears store.”

He added: “This will include new retail space, two residential apartment buildings, and an office/hotel building.”

However, the councillor said he wants to involve the public "at the earliest stage possible” to discuss how the 32-year-old mall will be transformed.

To that end, a meeting is being held at the mall Monday, Dec. 10.

New owners

The councillor said among the recent changes at the mall is that it has been purchased by two local companies, the Canadian frozen yogurt chain Yogen Fruz and real estate developer Liberty Development Corporation.

Liberty has been embroiled in controversy after it cancelled its Cosmos condos project in Vaughan's nascent downtown core about nine months ago, citing a lack of “satisfactory construction financing.”

As for the proposed redevelopment of Promenade mall, Shefman said, "the first phase of the proposed revitalization has now been presented informally to the city."

As for next steps, he said:

“Once the submission is deemed to be complete, the proposal will be presented at a formal public meeting for detailed review. Once that review is completed, staff will provide a recommendation for council's consideration.”

Shefman also said that the public will have “opportunities to speak to the proposal both at the public meeting and when the proposal is presented to council for approval.”

“In the meantime, as part of my commitment to the community, I have asked the proponent to hold an information meeting at this time to allow members of the public to comment on the proposal at the earliest stage possible.”

Details of Monday’s meeting:

Topic: Revitalization of Promenade Shopping Centre

When: Monday Dec. 10, 2018. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Promenade Shopping Centre

South End — Former Sears Space