08-18-2015, 11:28 PM
(08-17-2015, 08:28 PM)DHLawrence Wrote: New update: the former Staples is shedding its red for blue. The 'for lease' signs are still up, so it's probably just a way to make it look less brand-specific.
The sign and website for 4505 King (across from Tu-Lane) are still active, but there's been zero development on the property; I won't be holding my breath.
On the 4505 King website, they cite being on one of the roads in the region with the highest traffic counts (over 35,000 daily). The sad thing I'm afraid is the vast majority of traffic in this area on King Street and Highway 8 is just passing through to get to the 401 or connect Kitchener and Cambridge. Once the MTO moves closer to build the south-west ramp from Highway 8 to the 401, it will unfortunately remove a lot of the traffic between KW and London/Windsor off King Street. I didn't think of this when I started the thread, but this will be another blow to the area's future retail base. Add to this the rapidly changing format of brick and mortar retail.
If a secondary plan or something along those lines is done, I think it could definitely be complimentary to the new Creekside Corporate Campus recently approved on the other side of Highway 8 in Cambridge.
All in all, I think something visionary needs to be done to prevent this area from turning into a sprawling and underutilized greyfield site at arguably a very central location in the region.