Since the Feb. 1 closure of London Drugs at Woodward’s in the Downtown Eastside, or DTES, there is a 27,000-square-foot retail hole in the Vancouver neighbourhood. Mayor Ken Sim is suggesting it be filled with a police training centre.
London Drugs’ president and chief operating officer, Clint Mahlman, previously said that vandalism, crime and violence in the neighbourhood led to the decision to close the store.
But a business group and several neighbourhood organizations say what the neighbourhood needs is affordable retail, not more police presence.
“When an anchor retailer like this leaves the community, especially one that’s very important, it affects foot traffic, access to basic goods, it impacts overall street activity, and it has those ripple effects for small businesses and residents,” said Landon Hoyt, executive director of the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association.
“If we’re considering a policing training centre here, can we slow down the process to really understand: is that the best use?”
The retail that was in the space literally left because of the crime and lack of safety for its employees though. I don't see why these 'groups' think that putting in a different retail victim will change the state of the area.
At best, you'll get something like what happened to the Blendz at commercial drive as a result of the crime in that area. I literally watched fist fights break out between staff/customers at the old blendz, and random street people who'd run in, grab everything they could on the counter, and then try to flee. The result of that criminality, is that the Blendz closed, and now there's a Tim Hortons -- but the Tim Hortons has no chairs, and nothing on display, it's like what I'd imagine getting a coffee from a prison cafeteria might be like. The only purpose of that space is so that you can get your weak-ass coffee and then get out of the area.
That's the sort of retail space you get with crime levels so high. It's not the sort of retail that bolsters an area in my view, as it wont encourage people to 'hang around' for obvious reasons. There's also, essentially, a recession that's ongoing -- so the thought of a retailer wanting to take a risk in a high-cost, high-crime area is likely a really tough sell.
*Just an edit to add a personal example of what these crime rates do to locals -- I live near Commercial. The safeway is still not locked down, for now, likewise for convenience stores (which have the same issue). I spend a bunch on a grocery run, buy coffee as part of it. Next morning, groggily take the lid off the thing (which I had thought was secure), only to discover someone tampered with the inner seal which's half removed. Can't trust it, throw it out. Clerks at the safeway have stories of various people just coming in, opening all the packages/breaking all the seals, high on whatever. That's just what happens at Commercial drive these days. Not only are groceries expensive, its like 20% chance it's tampered with and gets tossed out. Real great time for locals.