Dear Editor:
Re: GlassHouse Lofts - Will be true to its name, The Record, May 31.
Your picture of a legacy-conscious mayor and a variance seeking developer overlooking the city from a glass house is enough to rattle any astute tax payer to the very core of his tax assessment.
However, as unique as the Aragon Development is, perhaps it is too early to throw stones at a glasshouse meeting. It is not, however, premature to review the game that is afoot here to connect Port Royal to New Westminster's downtown - a game I call Dic Dac Dough.
Dumb Idea of City (DIC) - We are all aware of the June 2009 engineering report evaluating the $20 million-plus cost of a pedestrian overpass to some 10 stores above the Fraser River (to accommodate boat traffic) that is not only inaccessible to those unable to climb 10 stories, but also impinges on, if not destroys, the only park amenity at the Quay - the Expo 86 legacy Children's Submarine Park.
Recall here, the original bridge was touted by a November 2008 parks and recreation review suggesting a crossing over Poplar Island. Using the Third Avenue overpass as a northern take-off point and getting developers on either side of the river to kick in funds could have produced a winner.
Development Assistance Contribution (DAC) - DAC funding of $10 million for a crossing was set aside but has now been reallocated, to the tune of $7 million, to augment the cost of construction of the Anvil Centre, leaving $3 million for the project and the prospect of taxpayers underwriting a bridge for which no usage study has been conducted and for which 1,000 signatures in opposition have been collected. These circumstances alone should make a city council, who tout the virtues of economy and real public consultation, seek alternatives. Perhaps one has been found.
Developer offers useful gift help (Dough) - It appears that Aragon founder and president, Lenny Moy, has not given up on the idea of a water taxi connection to downtown as the "critical mass" of the population at Port Royal is reached to make the project viable.
If he and the mayor were fleshing out this lofty alternative, perhaps politician/ developer meetings could provide a useful link and a tourist amenity at the same time - all at lower or no-cost to taxpayers. The city also has some $3 million DAC funding left available for a dock for the water taxi.
E.C. "Ted" Eddy, via email
