The City of Trail has taken ownership of the former Towne Square Mall, at 900 Spokane St.
A media release from the City said the building and land were donated by the previous owner.
The building, which was most recently known as Liquidation World, has fallen into disrepair.
However, a collaborative effort between the City and the previous owner, Amed Naqvi has led to a promising plan to revitalize the location in downtown Trail.
The City plans to first work on a detailed plan to demolish the deteriorating building and prepare the site for future development, which will be funded using a portion of the $3M provincial Growing Communities Fund grant, which the City received in 2023.
The future development will be guided with the renewal of Trail’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and the introduction of a new Zoning Bylaw, whether it be residential, commercial, or a mix of both.
Community engagement will play a crucial role in these decisions, including discussions on building heights and downtown opportunities.
Additionally, a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design study is underway, overseen by the Downtown Trail Improvement Committee, which will guide the project planning.
The City is exploring funding opportunities at all levels of government, as well as through other non-profit and for-profit entities, to support this significant development undertaking.
The decision to demolish the building was made after thorough research and careful consideration of the history of occupants and modifications to 900 Spokane Street, which was originally constructed in 1916 for the Trail Mercantile Co.
Current upstairs tenants Pride Gym and Performance Fitness, are familiar with the challenges of maintaining the aging structure. The City has been in contact to work toward a smooth transition.
“During the past year Council has had several conversations about what direction to go with this space,” said Colleen Jones, City of Trail Mayor.
“Our goal is to continue the revitalization of Trail’s downtown core. At this time, the primary focus is more housing, but I am very excited to consider the range of opportunities for this space with the community.”
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