There has been much discussion around the plan by the city to lease land from developer Bill Laird – land that might be used for an underpass under the tracks at the foot of Ross St.
I have had a welcome opportunity to discuss this plan with various people central to this decision. As a result of these discussions, and for what they are worth, my observations are as follows:
1. Bill Laird is acting as a prudent citizen in this matter, to avoid escalation of land costs if an underpass were to be built.
2. There will be an adequate process of community input around this complex issue in the future, undoubtedly including a referendum.
3. The costs of an underpass, were it to be built, would be diffused among taxpayers outside Salmon Arm as well as within it, due to participation by provincial and federal governments, and possibly CP Rail.
4. The desire for rapid emergency access to the north side of the tracks, while highly emotionally charged, is not of itself a sound rationale for an underpass.
5. Little land is still waiting to be developed north of the tracks.
6. Previous developers have tilted the playing field over the years by putting $660,000 from homeowners north of the tracks into a fund expressly for an underpass. I do not know if these funds are refundable if the underpass isn’t built.
I believe there is good will on the part of those concerned in proceeding with this plan.
However a more active process of involving concerned and engaged citizens, on both sides of the underpass issue, to establish a thoughtful, sustained dialogue over the coming months or years, would be helpful. It could reduce or even eliminate acrimony and conflict around this major capital project.
Warren Bell
