College classrooms, a library and administrative offices may soon move into the space Best Buy used to occupy in Burnaby’s Metrotown area.
Alexander College is looking to move a couple blocks over from its current location in the Metro Pointe building at 4603 Kingsway to the second floor of the Centrepoint building at 4803 Kingsway, where the Best Buy used to be.
The commercial building’s owner, Orr Development Corp., has applied to the city to have the property’s zoning expanded to include institutional use to accommodate the 500-student private college.
“The subject location on the second floor is considered an ideal adaptable re-use of existing vacant commercial space, as it adds vibrancy and does not detract from street-oriented commercial uses,” states a report that went to city council Monday.
The location has enough parking to accommodate the college, according to the report, but the changes would include an addition of 19 secure underground bicycle parking spots and 16 exterior bike parking spaces.
The underlying commercial zoning would be retained under the plan to “permit the future adaptive reuse of the building for office and retail purposes.”
Alexander College offers first- and second-year post-secondary courses.
The college is looking to move into the former Best Buy site because it is bigger than its current campus, a spokesperson told the NOW.
The plan goes to a public hearing on March 26 at 6 p.m.
