In the meantime, Newson and the rest of the public-art committee are focusing on an unusual new submission. A consultant representing Grandview Highway Holdings Ltd., the developer behind the big-box Canadian Tire outlet proposed for Grandview Highway just east of Rupert Street, has turned in a detailed public-art plan for the site. The document includes maps of the area set aside for the artwork on the Grandview Highway side of the nascent development and a discussion of the need for the work not only to “express the layers of metaphoric meaning” of the location but also to “hold its own beside the strong primary colours and signage of this project” . Such plans are required by the city in any rezoning application for developments 15,200 square metres or larger. (The Canadian Tire proposal is for 27,680 square metres.)

“I'm not sure that we've done one before,” Newson responded when asked whether this potential convergence of public art and big-box retailing marks a first for the committee. In any case, he said, the Canadian Tire proposal will be treated no differently than any similar application, such as those for large condo developments.

“The public-art requirement is one of many that the city asks any developer to provide when there is an increase in land value from rezoning,” he said, mentioning that the developers are also promising to restore a stretch of Still Creek that runs along the northern edge of the property, and to provide cycling amenities and water features.