Major Chinook Centre expansion could include towers, parkade and street-level storefronts

The owners of Chinook Centre are planning to buildout and up in what could be the mall's biggest expansion yet.

"This is a very big one and it is very much at the next stage, which is how do we take a sea of parking and turn it into something that is productive?" said Ward 11 Coun.Brian Pincott, who'sbeen having discussions with Cadillac Fairview for several years about its Chinook expansion plans.

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It has applied to the city for a rezoning of the entire east side of the property.

Towers, pedestrian-friendly storefronts, parkade

Essentially the companywants to build all along its property onMacleod Trail, including pedestrian-friendly storefronts on the street, a large above-ground parkade and several high-rise towers.

"Potential uses could include office, residential, hotel and retail space, and would showcase progressive design in city building and urban planning, as well as best practices in sustainability," said Cadillac Fairview in an emailed statement.

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Pincott said there's no sense of a timeframe from the company and the drawings are only at the conceptual stage. There's also no dollar figure attached to the plans that havebeen made public.

Ramp to ease traffic

The one drawing Cadillac Fairview has provided shows a ramp that would carry traffic from northbound Macleod Trail directly into a new parkade.

Pincottsaidthe company is willing to pay for that ramp, which could help reduce congestion on the busy road.

The application is expected to go to planning commission and city council later this spring.

Pincott said final drawings of what the company intends to buildlikely won't be available until Cadillac Fairview applies for a development permit.

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