One of the biggest commercial and residential developments proposed in Fort Langley’s recent history was unveiled Thursday.

The planned Coulter Berry Building is a major upgrade of the project previously approved for the corner of Mavis Avenue and Glover Road.

Following the fire that destroyed the IGA, the Lee family decided to re-site the grocery store, farther back from Glover.

Fronting Fort Langley’s main street, a two-storey office and commercial building was proposed.

However, when Frontier Hardware also shut down as its owners retired, a section of property about 200 feet long was added to the plans by the developers.

The revised plan, which has yet to go before Langley Township council, calls for a three-storey building, with 10 new specialty shops on the ground floor. It will have at least two new restaurants.

The second floor is devoted to 11,200 square feet of office space, and the top floor has 10 residential units. Parking is to be largely underground, with 58 of 67 stalls under the building.

Reaction among the early visitors at Thursday’s public open house, held in the Fort Langley Community Hall, was largely positive.

“I think it’s going to make a really nice corner,” said Sandy Cox, although he had hoped that a planned coffee shop might be better positioned away from traffic on the rear laneway.

“We like the overall concept,” said Gary Sawatsky,” but he felt that making most of the building three storeys tall might be “pushing it.”

He would prefer to see more of the building a bit lower at two storeys.

Gay Smith, a longtime Fort resident, said it looked fantastic.

“I’m not so intimidated by the height,” she said.

The project will now have to be approved by Township council, as it’s a major departure from the former design.

If the council approves first and second reading of bylaws and permits, there will be a public hearing so residents can give their opinion of the project.