A major new business development is about to start along Highways 9 and 10 adjacent to the Parkland Mall.
The development, which will be phased in with various business locations over a number of years is scheduled to begin this year with a hotel.
"We have a deal with a hotel operator," explained Darryl Meier, CMA, General Manager, Development with Harvard Developments Inc. in Regina.
While noting agreements prevent him revealing the name of the hotel chain at this time, Meier said, "If all goes as planned it should be starting this year."
The hotel is planned as a three-storey structure, and would open in 2012.
The second development is likely to be a strip mall.
"We're in discussion with a number of retailers," he said, adding they are close to having deals signed to proceed with retail space encompassing 20,000 "split over two buildings." It is anticipated a restaurant will be part of the development.
Meier said in preparation for the hotel, and other building development site work will begin immediately.
"We plan to start doing some site grading right away," he said. " You'll see activity at the site right away."
The overall development will encompass 100,000 square feet of retail space, on the 10-acre site, said Meier.
As for an exact development timeline, he said, "it's all leasing driven." While noting "we're having good interest now," it will take time. "One hundred thousand square-feet is a big chunk so it will take some time."
One possible tenant is the offices of GX94 and the Fox, which are owned by a separate wing of Harvard.
Meier said he could not speculate on whether the radio offices will move he said in general terms "our goal is to have our own businesses in our developments so conceivably it could happen."
