The site of the old Public Market around King George and 62 Avenue is an eyesore. That place has been empty for over 10 years, and now there are boards on the site asking for someone to lease the place.
There must have been a reason for that building to have been shut down and the Public Market moved out of there in the first place; maybe the structure is old and dilapidated? Or at best outdated?
There are plenty of viable options for the City of Surrey for that place. First and foremost, that structure needs to be knocked down for good. In the resulting available space, the city can consider creating:
• A retirement facility with adjoining medical clinic specifically for senior citizens. This way, the senior citizens’ prescriptions can be filled from the next door facility, there are medical staff nearby to service the medical needs of the retirees. There can be lots of parking space in the remaining land area for visitors, staff, etc.
• Homes for the homeless/welfare recipients. There can be a high rise, built along the lines of the French Pensions (showers at the end of the corridor, rooms with kitchenettes, washroom, sink, double beds in each room), segregated for male and female residents. Separate floors for males and females. A separate wing can be considered for mixed / married couples.
This way, the land can be utilized for socially beneficial programs, the senior citizens or homeless people can be accommodated in an area where they cannot do too much damage. The facility is on the bus line, for those who need to travel to find jobs, etc., there is a fast food place and a gas station across from the facility, so that people can get food, basic medical supplies (cough and cold medications) without travelling too far.
If the city does not prefer any of these suggestions, they can certainly come up with something else. In any case, the facility in question must be newer, state-of-the-art to conserve energy (e.g. geothermal heat, energy star windows), such that the facility can have a useful life of maybe next 50 or so years.
M. Hajee