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Letter: Six storey building is wrong for Stong’s

To the editor: Re: “ Stong’s market faces uncertain future ,” Aug. 30. The Dunbar community has supported the proposed redevelopment of the Stong’s Market site and adjacent properties at four stories in community consultation meetings.

To the editor:

Re: “Stong’s market faces uncertain future,” Aug. 30.

The Dunbar community has supported the proposed redevelopment of the Stong’s Market site and adjacent properties at four stories in community consultation meetings.

Stong’s grocery has an agreement with the developer, Harwood, that if the redevelopment is six storeys, Stong’s will receive a below market rent. For this reason, Stong’s is advocating a six-storey redevelopment.  However, it is common in retail development to offer an anchor tenant, such as a grocery store, a below market base rate and a percentage rent. This recognizes the grocery store will attract customers for the other retail.

For many years Stong’s has been a supporter of the Dunbar community. For this reason, residents of Dunbar have returned the support to the grocery store.  It may be that the interests of the community and Stong’s have now diverged and community members should consider taking their grocery shopping elsewhere.  Shoppers carries many food basics at prices that are often below Stong’s.  IGA is just down on 41st and is a full-service grocery store.

Don’t let Stong’s’ self-interest cause short term decision making that is not in the best interest  or reflective of the wishes of the Dunbar community.  Let the grocery store, the developer and the City of Vancouver know you do not support a six-story redevelopment.

Denise Taylor Ellis,

Vancouver

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