Welcome to "Morningside Crossing". First Capital Reality, new owners of the Mall, held a public open house to reveal their plans for the site on Thursday May 18, 2006. The viewing drew a massive crowd. This artist's rendering is the first glimpse of the bank of stores that would run along Collinsgrove and contain a major restaurant
Crowds, not seen in the Mall in a decade, were out to catch a glimpse of the future. The name chosen for the site did not reflect any of those listed in our recent Poll, where West Hill Village Centre was the favoured choice
The proposed new design provoked heated discussion. The Mall was in many ways the heart of the community and a proper redesign of the site is vital to West Hill's future
The first phase of the redesign (in green) would consist of the creation of a banking centre at Kingston Road and Morningside, on the old Beaver Station site. Current occupants of the Mall, CIBC and TD would move to this location to join Scotia Bank, in the phase of construction that was completed in the fall of 2007.
The final plan would see the Mall replaced with a Food Basics store and a major drug store chain, like Shoppers Drug Mart. An office complex had been planned to run along the length of Morningside, a design feature later changed.
A glimpse of the future can just be seen over the heads of interested residents. David Soknacki and Gay Cowborune, city councilors, were on hand to gage public reaction to the proposals
The loss of the Mall was greeted by some with great sadness. It had played a major role in their lives. The Mall brought to the community a public place where we could meet, where dance and martial arts clubs could put on demonstratons, where soap opera stars could visit fans, where Santa and the Easter bunny could greet our children. The new design has no room for such community building events. It is much better than the dying hulk that currently occupies the space, but it lacks a heart.
By the fall of 2007 the first stage of Morningside Crossing at Kingston and Morningside were complete.
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