Port Place Mall renovations?

[kickidee]

More good ponts Trailblazer! I have enjoyed wtching the older folks going to the mall for some socialization.
I have seen them make it to that mall on really slippery sidewalks, that is how much it means to them!
Also in a sense I feel as though Southenders are being forced by this squeezing of choices to go North end for indoor shopping.
Something many of us will never do.

[Wyatt Earp]

I can not believe the negativity of these recent posts on this thread? The simple fact of the matter is that buildings age, insurance increases on them as does upkeep costs. This mall, being built way back in what the late 50's I think (not sure) has seen many code changes - most of which have to do with siesmic and life safety. Imagine the issues the building owners are faced with when the building fails inspection or worse fails due to fire, flood or earth quake?

People bitch and moan about loosing something but they stand to gain something better, safer and more efficient. Again, think about the big picture here. The interview of the Purdy's indicating she's not coming back due to not having a spot in the new mall, oh gee that's a real shame and it is once again very negative. There is nothing to say that she couldn't open a store in the DT core at street level somewhere. The customer base would likely grow in that case if say it was located on the high end of commercial street by the flying fish or whatever.

Again, this is not the end of the world here. In fact, if the casino does what I think it wants to, the port does what I think it wants to and the mall changes to what I think it wants to do we will see a considerable surge in activity - both retail, commercial, local, tourist and other such things. All very good for the local area.

I know it is very hard for people to embrace change but this is your chance to get on side and see what you can do to voice comments and opinions to such things. Remember to keep them constructive and respectful of both sides of the "fence" and you will see a great return.

Cheers,

[kickidee]

Wyatt I am not at all trying to be negative. I am all for bringing things up to code and helping to voice for positive change.
I do not see how making this mall an outdoor shopping experience will help the people who have been long time loyal customers.
You make the points that matter in this issue to people who want Nanaimo to expand and grow into a big city.
You must expect those of us who struggle with ecenomic or transportation issues to grieve the loss of the only indoor, can get to all shops easily without ice, snow and speed bumps and pushing a cart over distance to complete shooping in the new improved area to be happy.
You have to see the changes are bad for the group the mall has Traditionally served. The mall was improved only a few years ago.
I think getting the structure safe (?) it is unsafe? is a great bet.
Also not all of us feel that the highrises and unfinished plans for this area are a positive thing.
Many of us just see ourselves as long time residents and loyal customers being deprived of the few things that made life a little easier. We feel jumped over by progress (meaning catering to the haves in the territory of the have nots.)
The changes may boost the economy, the stores may benifit by relocating, we may get lots of people to move in and invade the spaces that were scarce but used to serve our needs.
None the less I will see what you mean by the new picture. If it provides an indoor shopping experience in the area and includes a place for the seniors to meet I am in!
I do not want to bear the negative lable simply because I cherish and want to retain the only mall in the area (and for miles)that gave me a Saturday afternoon of joy, chasing deals, buying shoes clothes food and pharmecuticals, visiting the clinc, banking etc under a roof in safety and warmth.
I react to a feeling of being jumped over on my own turf simply because others will be able to pay more more often.
I am and adult and I know that money makes the world go arround but some of us are feeling as displaced as the homeless near the Vancouver Olympic site.

[queen of the waterfront]

Wyatt Earp.

I hear where you are coming from, I do.

For some of us what may come across to you as negativity is really a reality for us.
The Harbour Park mall has been that meeting place, gathering spot for a long time.Some of us are expressing loss of the old days, and something that was familiar.
Change is often good, but it does come with regret.

For me, it definitely means less trips downtown.People who take buses dont want to stand around in the cold or flit from store to store while they are waiting for a bus. It is an inconvenient truth. I dont mind wandering around the mall while I am waiting. I will often buy something.
I dont like wandering around Commercial Street freezing my butt off. I do like some of the new trendy stores but I sure as heck am not going to make a special trip downtown for that one purchase. I might if I were going to meet some friends at the mall.

It is likely true that the new renovations will benefit many in the long run. In the interim a customer base will have been lost. Sometimes it doesnt come back.

[kickidee]

Further more many good buisnesses have gone from the downtown core and I know of at least one owner who was forced out and now struggles to keep a shop open elsewhere and is barely making it because his customer base would have included people like me.
(who cannot get there.)

[nanaimoboy]

The only stores i ever shopped in at port place mail were

1 - london drugs
2 - Thrifty's
3 - the dollar store
4 - Fields
5 - the Source

That was it. The rest of the shops in that mall didn't appeal to me and had no purpose for me. I went to shop in Purdy's one time and I thought their prices were outrageous.

I liked the feel of the mall. It was/is kind of homey. But as far as someone else saying where will the homeless go to keep warm. PP mall was not created as a homeless shelter or a drop in center for homeless or street people. I have seen security at PP mall run off street people on numerous occasions. One time I was there a fight broke out between two street people and one street person broke a piece of wood over the others head. And homeless people have been ripping off retailers at PP mall for years by shop lifting.

The other issue someone else mentioned was having to heat or air condition that huge interior walking space. Well, I guess when gas, oil and hydro power was cheap, that was fine. But things are different today. Then there is all the maintenance of that interior walking space, security, taxes, etc. It's space better put to good use as retail space rather than just a space for people to walk in.

Look at it from the perspective of the owners. You HAVE to get maximum dollar return on your investment to make it these days. I think as the mall stands right now, that is just not happening. They renovated PP mall a number of years ago and added a food court area. That food court area is practically dead. Seems not many like to go down that way. The previous renovations look like they were a complete failure.

I found a wiki article on the mall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Place_Shopping_Centre

here's another thought. All these renovations that PP mall and other malls are doing in nanaimo show that Nanaimo has a long and bright future and people will be working here and making money here for a long time to come. These companies don't do these kinds of multi-million dollar renos in areas that are deemed to be depressed and destined collapse economically. So be happy, folks

[Wyatt Earp]

Good points Nanaimoboy.

I don't mean to label anyone negative. Just that the posts were so and it really is unbecoming. Personally, I don't see how walking a street filled with stores is any different than walking around victoria? Sure Nanaimo is a smaller scale and the shops may not be as classy and don't have to be. We don't live in Edmonton or Calgary or even Winnipeg and they walk outside more than we do it would seem.

Until the drawings are actually released to the public will we have an opportunity to determine what is in and what is out.

[nanaimoboy]

Good points Nanaimoboy.

I don't mean to label anyone negative. Just that the posts were so and it really is unbecoming. Personally, I don't see how walking a street filled with stores is any different than walking around victoria? Sure Nanaimo is a smaller scale and the shops may not be as classy and don't have to be. We don't live in Edmonton or Calgary or even Winnipeg and they walk outside more than we do it would seem.

Until the drawings are actually released to the public will we have an opportunity to determine what is in and what is out.

I was in Victoria recently. And i liked how the city of Vic has mixed the old with the new. Victoria's China town was a blast. And that part of the old city of Victoiia was busy as all hell. maybe Nanaimo could take a lesson from Victoria as to how to mix the old buildings with the new developments to draw in tourists from all around the world. There will be something for everybody in down town nanaimo. It's not all bad, as some people seem to like to portray it as being.

You know, we have this incredible waterfront walkway, one of the best in the world. We have a proposed new seaport for cruise ships coming in. The renos at the PP mall are just a part of the change for the better in the core of Nanaimo. If they don't renovate soon, I am sure the mall will fall into a state of dilapidation and disrepair. And no one will want to shop there at all. That happened at the old northbrook mall. They renovated it and now it is booming again.

[kickidee]

So I will join you in wishing the best for Nanaimo.
I do not mind walking outdoors.
I purchase a great deal of food and other supplies because I have teens.
What I mind is hauling and pushing the goods through traffic and rough pavement over sidewalks and around shops and being limited to only what the cart will hold.
I mind having purchases fall out because I cant fit in a printer, new winter jacket for one girl or the other, a few hundred dollars worth of groceries etc. in the cart.
But I shall try to look at the bright side.
We will spend a lot less and save money!

[nanaimoboy]

So I will join you in wishing the best for Nanaimo.
I do not mind walking outdoors.
I purchase a great deal of food and other supplies because I have teens.
What I mind is hauling and pushing the goods through traffic and rough pavement over sidewalks and around shops and being limited to only what the cart will hold.
I mind having purchases fall out because I cant fit in a printer, new winter jacket for one girl or the other, a few hundred dollars worth of groceries etc. in the cart.
But I shall try to look at the bright side.
We will spend a lot less and save money!

Well, i'll miss the old mall too. But I think if the mall renovates and puts in shops that offer great deals to people, like some of the other renovated malls have done, then i will be beating a path to the doors of the shops that are offering these great deals, as will most others who want to save some bucks on their store bought items.