Council has heard the cry for more shopping in Maple Ridge, says the mayor.

"We heard it. We get it. It's a priority," Ernie Daykin said Tuesday.

During last November's election and afterwards, "council has heard loud and clear about the desire for more shopping options … with the option of much of this desire … in the Albion flats."

He added council understands, "and in fact shares the desire for more shopping options."

The remarks came in the mayor's state-of-the-district progress report, a month after residents packed council chambers demanding a shopping centre in Albion flats on Lougheed Highway.

Daykin, though, added that the community doesn't want to see tilt-up big box stores "in an uninterrupted sea of asphalt." After seeing some how developments fit "beautifully" into a community and some that have become eyesores, he said he was more committed than ever to ensure any development reflects Maple Ridge's natural assets and character.

The document that will determine all that, the Albion area plan, will be a key piece of work for this fall, he said.

The mayor touched on some of the accomplishments, started by previous councils, and tasks that remain unfinished.

The ghetto, also known as Northumberland Court, has drawn the most publicity during the new council's tenure.

"This council has taken the most aggressive action possible within the bounds of the law. Council is as frustrated as the neighbours by the relatively slow pace of change."

But council has issued a demolition order for one of the buildings at the foot of Fraser Street, as well as repair orders for the remaining 16 units. The business licence of Jack Athwal, who owns 14 of the units, has also been cancelled.

"We're going to stay the course and not waver on this item," said Daykin.

The mayor began his address by noting that council was following a new approach of strengthening relationships between agencies such as TransLink or neighbouring communities such as Pitt Meadows or Katzie First Nation.

"Council believes in connection before content."

"We need to make a connection with people before we focus on the content of the deal."

He cited the recent designation of Abernethy Way/128th Avenue between 210th and 232nd Street as part of the major road network, qualifying it for TransLink funding, as one example of the district having good relations with TransLink.

The building of the new SPCA shelter, and the imminent announcement of new off-leash dog areas for the canine crowd are also expected soon. "If only dogs could vote," Daykin remarked.

Daykin said he and council are looking forward to the ribbon cutting for the Spirit Square improvements to 224th Street in the downtown, set for July 11, adding he was confident the short-term pain is worth the long-term gain of the renovations.

The district wanted to continue the renovations to include all of 224th Street between Dewdney Trunk Road and Lougheed Highway, but could only afford to do it in phases over several years.

It sought federal infrastructure dollars from Ottawa's Economic Action Plan, but has yet to hear if it will get any money. Staff have been burning up the phone lines to Victoria and Ottawa to try to get some of that money, he said. "This is another example of where we are optimistic that our positive relationships will pay dividends."

He also recognized the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce for being named chamber of the year in B.C. and the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association. The BIA won the “Economic Development, Business Recruitment & Retention” trophy, presented by Business Improvement Association of B.C.