Surrey's downtown core has seen huge growth in recent years. How much more can it handle?

Surrey City Centre, earlier known as downtown Whalley, was once viewed as one of the most dangerous areas in the Lower Mainland, plagued by shootings, property theft and substance use.

Until it was cleared out in 2018, the notorious “Surrey Strip” housed more than 150 residents in a tent city along 135A Street.

But the city’s downtown has undergone a transformation over the last several years — a new city hall near a massive library, nearby campuses for Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University that continue to expand, an explosion of high-rise buildings and an infusion of new businesses. Holland Park is now home to many large-scale events, such as a major music festival.

The future vision for the area, however, is shaping up to be a significant election issue.

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Some favour expansion with new venues for concerts, sports and cultural events, luxury hotels and conference facilities, and more office and retail space. Others worry that such new development and density will increase the cost of living in an area often regarded for its affordability.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has promised a luxury hotel, conference rooms, residential towers and a 10,000-seat sports and entertainment arena right across from city hall.

“Bringing this arena to Surrey means jobs, investment, conference capacity, and major sports, arts and entertainment like never before. We’re already the economic powerhouse of the region, and this is another step in Surrey’s rise as a world-class city,” Locke said in July.

Whalley used to have a couple of hotels, but they were far from luxurious. The Flamingo, opened in 1955, deteriorated over the decades and became known for its fair share of fights, stabbings and shady customers. Nearby sat the low-income Dell Hotel before it closed in 2011.

Dan Cupa, senior vice-president of the residential department at Bosa Properties, which has had a presence in the area for more than 10 years and been a part of its transformation, sees a lot of opportunities for growth.