Could Surrey light-rail transit be the ‘catalyst’ to revitalize Newton?
Philip Aguirre dreams of a Newton where residents stroll through a vibrant entertainment district while sipping locally roasted espresso, perhaps on their way to a farmer’s market, hockey game or brew pub.
The executive director of the Newton Business Improvement Association said he has seen for himself how well light-rail systems serve the people of Portland and Prague. He is convinced having a station at the heart of Surrey’s most populous town centre will “ignite” investment and transform his community into a hub of cultural and economic growth.
“LRT is really going to be the catalyst to revitalization for the entire area,” Aguirre told Postmedia Thursday. “The springboard to achieving all of our goals.”
Newton, centred on 72 Avenue and King George Boulevard and mostly known for its strip malls and wave pool, is set to be a terminus station for the $1.65-billion Surrey-Newton-Guildford light-rail transit line, expected to be completed by 2024. It will link the town centre to the city centre and to the rest of the SkyTrain network.
Aguirre said the BIA has advocated for light rail since the association was created five years ago, and while he’s heard his share of criticism along the way, he believes light rail is the right step toward “building community” in Newton. He wants it to increase livability for residents, rather than funnel them into Vancouver.
He pictures a Newton with more density, its massive parking lots and strip malls redeveloped into condos and apartments atop small, independent businesses. He hopes to see people flooding out of hotels, a convention centre and arena into a lively street festival, rather than onto King George Boulevard packed with “dump trucks getting from one point to the other,” he said.
“What we’re trying to do is transform that community into something that is more livable,” he said.
“We already have a highway that divides Newton quite a bit. Now, the future of King George Boulevard, as we know it today, might be vastly different if we build our community properly.”
Reaction from local businesses has been mixed, but some hope to see light rail lead to long-term payoffs.
“I think it’s going to only make things better for us,” said Jaspal Brar, a financial adviser at Cooperators Insurance and Financial Services who sits on the BIA’s board.
Brar said his hope is light rail will connect Newton with the rest of Surrey, bringing density and therefore clients to the area. He has concerns about how long construction will take and how it will affect traffic on King George Boulevard, but believes it will be worth the hassle.
“If we’re looking long term, we’re going to have to suck it up in the meantime and deal with it,” he said. “Once it’s done, I think it will be great.”
Cole Hamilton, of Boulevard Tattoo, said he welcomes light rail because it would make it easier for clients to get to their appointments. Hamilton said King George Boulevard is already congested most mornings, so he expects some relief from LRT long term.
“It would definitely help that congestion lighten up,” he said. “Especially at the bus loop. If people are going to take the (train) in instead of all those buses, I think it would be great.”
Mayor Linda Hepner acknowledged the construction concerns at a press conference Wednesday.
“Any time you have a significant transportation project you have significant disruption,” she said. “I’m not going to stand here to say there’s not going to be growing pains.”
The most vocal opposition to the light rail has been SkyTrain for Surrey, which advocates for SkyTrain and bus-rapid transit in the city. The group believes benefits to local businesses depend on increased ridership, and doubts light rail will be rapid or reliable enough to ensure that, said standing director Daryl Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz also said that while his group doesn’t have specific construction details, they are concerned installing the light rail may lead to temporary, full closures of King George Boulevard and 104th Avenue.
“As long as you’re maximizing that (ridership), we see a lot of potential,” he said.
“The problem with the design of the LRT is that we don’t feel that it maximizes the potential of increased ridership because of speed, reliability, running rightof-way at-grade. It’s prone to delays and collisions, among other things.”