International Studies, Community
International Studies student enlivens vacant storefronts in Surrey, BC
From the Surrey Now-Leader...
By Amy Reid
Boarded up windows, cracked glass and empty storefronts have become a noticeable eyesore along King George Boulevard in Whalley, as numerous businesses have closed their doors in recent years.
But a project spearheaded by a student intern aims to give a much-needed – and artistic – facelift to some of those storefronts in an effort to brighten up the area.
And, perhaps, to eventually brand the area as an “international district,” building on the many ethnic eateries and stores already established in the area.
“The thing that stood out to me most when I walked the area was the number of vacant storefronts, which gave the impression there wasn’t a lot going on in the area, but the area has a lot of potential,” said 21-year-old Haadia Khald, a third-year SFU student majoring in international studies, who spent her summer working at the Downtown Surrey BIA.
“By enlivening the area, I thought it would attract the attention it deserves.”
After brainstorming how she could achieve that, Khalid decided on painting the vacant storefronts.