Editor:
Re: House purchase boosts parking plans, Feb. 3.
Sometimes ‘progress’ is so hard to define – one would only hope that it would add to one’s quality of life.
However, as my good neighbour former councillor Alan Campbell puts it, that is not always the case.
Like him, I have loved living down here just a few steps from the beautiful White Rock waterfront. Also like him, I am left to wonder at some of the ‘improvements’ made in the name of progress.
Many years ago it was The Boathouse Restaurant that got the hillside residents involved in protecting development along the beach. This resulted in a petition, a delay in building, a fine and, finally, a building that exceeded the height bylaw and unfortunately set a precedent for future development.
Then, as Campbell noted, there is the fiasco of the Sausalito that went from charming bed-and-breakfast to a six-storey concrete ‘monolith’, thanks in part to a court order – a case of ‘progress’ as defined by our government’s court system!
Now, I sit here on my deck and look out on Campbell’s family home and the grey concrete of the Sausalito next to it blocking the view up Victoria Drive, and the sky with the rising moon. I understand why I am losing both a good neighbour and hard-working former city councillor who cared and fought so much for our neighbourhood.
And, yes, I do realize how difficult it will be for you and your family to drive away but, as you know, better now than later, when this proposed “parkade” is built on this extremely busy corner, when it will be next to impossible to drive anywhere at all, especially during the summer season.
Ah, yes, Mayor Wayne Baldwin – and you, too, Coun. Grant Meyer – can I just say that ‘progress’ at any cost is really not progress at all. By the way, the ‘hump’ is another bad, short-sighted idea. Both areas are far too congested for a parking lot.
As I have suggested in the past, it is time to consider a parkade at East Beach and a shuttle/trolley system along the beachfront both as a parking solution and a tourist attraction. Perhaps, as a bonus, that would allow the city to shut down the beachfront to traffic once a week or month for a flea market or street party. It’s a matter of sitting down with all parties concerned and discussing how it can be done and its benefit to all those involved…
Now that really would be ‘progress’.
Barry Cameron, White Rock
• • •
An open letter to Mayor Baldwin.
I think this plan for a new parkade is a brilliant idea – one long overdue.
With the purchase of Al Campbell’s house, to give it a much-needed larger footprint, the structure has tons of potential – such as one or two floors below ground, if feasible, and the sky is the limit for height.
One can plan for future parking requirements as White Rock is a growing concern. Too often in the peak periods you see people actually becoming aggressive and blocking spots with their bodies to get dibs on the spots. Not a great situation.
This is exciting, as the BSNF will not get a share of the proceeds – so it is just a win-win situation. I will be fully supporting this in my limited capacity as a resident.
Takes pressure off of more parking being needed on the ‘hump’, which can now be put back into form with some semblance of organized beautification.
Looking forward to hearing of another parkade down in East Beach.
Garry Wolgemuth, White Rock
