Dart moves ahead

James Lammers	John Papesh

Monday, May 10, 2004

The Central Planning Authority (CPA) last week approved a US $47.5-million building development that will become part the “Waterfront Village,” the first phase of the Seven-Mile Beach to North Sound Dart Project.

The approved buildings, currently called “Block 6”, will consist of approximately 85,000 square feet office space and an attached structured parking facility and becomes the second block of the Dart development approved by the CPA. The buildings will be located just east of the Dart by-pass road that continues on from the Esterly Tibbetts Highway.

In January, approval was obtained for “Block 1”, which is 70,000 square feet of buildings that will include a six-screen cinema facility, retail shops and office space at a value of US$15 million.

“We are very pleased to say the least over the approval,” said Dart Management Vice President John Papesh.

Construction on the two blocks is schedule to begin this September, with completion scheduled for Block 1 in the fourth quarter of 2005 and, and for Block 2 in the first quarter of 2006.

In its entirety, the “Waterfront Village,” as it is called right now, is planned to incorporate over 400,000 square feet of building on 25 lushly landscaped acres of development that will consist of office space, residential space, retail shops, at least six restaurants, parking facilities, and a harbour basis with access to the North Sound.

Plans for Blocks 2, 3 and 4 have not yet been finalised, but will be submitted to the CPA in the late summer of 2004, according to Dart Management Managing Director James Lammers.

The entire 240-acre Dart Project, which is scheduled to take 20-25 years to complete, will also include multi-priced attached residential homes, single-family homes, a beach development, a marina and the Waterfront Village.

“We’re beginning with the Waterfront Village because we see it as the heart of the body, or the engine of the car,” said Mr Papesh, “We want to create a community of mixed uses that will serve as the epicentre of the project to create value for what will come afterwards.”

Mr Lammers said that they hoped to secure a variety multi-price point retail shops in the Waterfront Village. “Some of the things we’re looking for would include a bookstore, a newsstand, a good coffee shop, clothing stores, and some duty free shops.”

With regard to the planned “restaurant row”, Mr Lammers said that they would look for a variety of cuisines, price points and atmosphere, including some outdoor seating looking out to the harbour basin.

The state-of-the-art cinema complex in Block 1 would have six cinemas, stadium seating and digital surround sound, Mr Lammers said.

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