Article content continued

No date has been set for development of the third and final phase of 104,000 square feet.

When Tsawwassen Mills opened last October with 180 stores, customers intrigued by the novelty of a new mall faced lengthy lineups just to park.

The mall could not sustain such success, and business today is less than desired.

“I think they’re doing OK,” said Sandy Cruickshank, executive vice-president of Triovest, property manager of the Tsawwassen Commons development.

“It may not be as robust as they had hoped but the reality is this is a growing residential area. … I think the retail will do well, but it might take a year or two to get there.”

Photo by Larry Pynn / PNG

The mall currently provides a shuttle for employees from Richmond and Surrey as well as shoppers from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

Williams noted that TFN negotiated a “99-year pre-paid lease … paid upfront” with the mall developer for an undisclosed sum, money that has largely funded overall community services, including a sewage-treatment plant. The First Nation has also created a Member Legacy Trust.

Williams said most but not all of the 477 members support the economic changes.

“People are open to the concept of change. Of course, not everybody is happy, but I’d say the majority is.”

Current and future development is happening at the expense of once-productive Fraser delta farmland.

Williams countered that TFN remains a regional leader in agriculture despite development, and has also partnered with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to create a farm school on TFN lands.