How can the Gateway to Sidney be on the west side of the main highway and away from our foremost shopping, financial and dining areas? It makes no sense.
The VAA (via developers) are hankering to redirect residents and visitors from our beautiful town towards some sort of mini-Langford area.
Do we really want to divert visitors to some area devoid of character, then let them leave thinking that they have actually been to Sidney?
Moreover, as mentioned in past weeks by other writers, there already exists a high vacancy rate in the downtown core of Sidney; more retail/commercial space on the west side of the highway seems superfluous.
Our downtown is charming and very easily accessible for all to benefit from the huge array of amenities that are currently on offer.
Visitors and residents have the very pleasant “gateway” of Beacon Avenue with which to enter our downtown and enjoy the natural ambiance of the street, then shortly arrive at our fantastic waterfront.
Furthermore, the Gateway proposal suggests that seeking out a grocery store, financial and medical tenants would be ideal.
We already have three large grocery stores and numerous financial facilities in our downtown. I personally wouldn’t want to see one of our conveniently located businesses disappear to the “other side.”
Additionally, if this development is allowed to proceed, how are we expected to trek over to this Gateway?
Many residents in Sidney travel by mobility scooters, bicycles and by walking. Is there a plan for a cycling/pedestrian bridge over the highway?
I conclude by recounting my casual discussions with numerous friends/residents, that by far the general consensus is that the Gateway development is unwarranted.
Let’s hope that town council sees this proposal as unnecessary too.
Remember, it’s Sidney-by-the-Sea not Sidney-by-the-Runway.
Adam Kanczula, Sidney
