Developers of the old Myer site in Summer Street have scrapped plans to have a major store in the complex.
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Department store Harris Scarfe was touted to become the major retailer on the site but the space for a major store has been replaced by a food court in a revised development application (DA) submitted to Orange City Council this month.
The previous plan had one major retail space, one mini-major site, 15 retail tenancies and two kiosks.
Now, the plan which is on public display shows one mini-major site, 20 retail tenancies, six food court shops and five kiosks.
It also seeks to have more retail space in Post Office Lane, adjacent to the old Myer building.
The revised plan also shows the anticipated construction costs have risen by $3.4 million from $12 million in June 2017 to $15.4 million now.
The latest plan means it would be the first time in more than 140 years there would not be a major retail store on the site.
Council has twice previously given building consent to the developers, the Alceon Group, and will now have to consider the revised plans.
The DA argues the changes will not alter the bulk of the proposal for the site which would see the facade retained and the rest of the building knocked down to be replaced with new structures.
“The proposed modifications will result in substantially the same development as approved [in 2017],” it said.
“The overall bulk and scale of the building envelope remains the same, albeit there is a change to a portion of the roof form over the proposed food court.”
The changes would involve demolishing the central portion of the roof and replacing it with a ‘butterfly’ roof and skylight over the food court.
Changes to Post Office Lane include extending a covered area over shops and eating areas.
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“The approved structure in Post Office Lane is proposed to be lengthened to the south within the laneway to accommodate additional shopfronts within the laneway,” the DA said.
The DA also proposes behind-the-scenes changes including moving the site of the sprinkler system booster.
The Alceon Group was approached for comment.
Myer closed its store on January 29, 2017 and the site has now been unused for 18 months.
The latest plan means it would be the first time in more than 140 years there would not be a major retail store on the site.
The DA is on display until August 2.