Tenant found for former Sears store in Bonnie Doon mall

The company that owns BonnieDoonShopping Centreplansto announce the tenant that will move into the former Sears store in the next four to six weeks.

The Sears store closed more than a year ago.

The new tenant focused on education and wellness will draw more than 1,000 people per day to the mall, said Margaret Knowles,senior vice-president of development atMorguardInvestments Ltd., the Toronto-area real estate company that owns the mall.

Mall plans revealed

The company has proposedto rezone the land the mall sits on and turn the area into a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that includes 6,000 new homes. That would take 20 to 30 years.

Morguard's most recent proposal for the 12-hectare property and surrounding area divides the space into five districts:

• Commercial district with possible office space;
• Health and wellness district;
• Boutique and "central park" district with retail;
• Retail and entertainment district with a transit plaza, and;
• Garden district with a residential focus.

The most recent proposal features parking, bike lanes, pedestrian paths, trees, "lush landscaping," a water feature and public gardens. Park pavilions could house restaurants, cafes and ice cream vendors.

"We certainly want to turn it from sad to ecstatic," Knowlessaid Wednesday onCBCRadio'sEdmonton AM.

She said themall,at 8420 85th St., wouldremain open duringconstruction.

Density debate

A report released last month by Morguard included a variety of comments from people who gave feedback on previous plans. Comments on density and architecture yielded mixed responses, with some supporting higher density development and others criticizing highrise buildings.

When asked about local residents' opinions on highrises in their neighbourhood,Knowles said feedback has been "incredibly supportive."

"The big thing that we hear from people is they want to live in their neighbourhood," she said, adding, "there aren't a lot of choices right now."

There was a drop-in public engagement sessionWednesday nightat La CitFrancophone, 8627 91st St.

The cityhas said there will be at least one more drop-in event in thefall.