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Post by DuaneT on Mar 11, 2005 16:06:34 GMT -5
Recently there was a polled posted asking it the Lawson Landing would really revitalized downtown Kelowna. Mr Zeger from the CRCP wrote in a letter believing that this one poll at this one time was the final decision of the citizens of Kelowna. I then wrote a letter in response to that.
Both letters will be listed below for everyone to read. My only complain was that the letter I wrote was edited a bit too much for my liking, as a result the original letter will also be presented in this column for people to read.
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Post by DuaneT on Mar 11, 2005 16:07:41 GMT -5
The following is the letter written by Mr. Zeger of the CRCP.
To the editor:
Having just read the results of the Capital News Sound Off question of Feb. 23, it seems that those who are of the opinion that Lawson's Landing is necessary for downtown revitalization are in the minority. Sixty-seven per cent of respondents to that question said they felt Lawson's Landing is not critical to rejuvenating the downtown.
The notion that it takes high density to make a downtown work is an outmoded one and should be considered a planning error of the 20th century. Kelowna residents and tourists alike appreciate the small town atmosphere of our downtown and they don't come here looking for a miniature Vancouver or Toronto. Rather they come here to leave these places behind them.
Our downtown can be made more appealing by making it a pedestrian friendly place highlighting its heritage characteristics and showpiecing rather than obscuring our city's finest assets-the lake and mountains. Kelowna can learn from what Penticton is doing to revitalize its downtown where they will be widening sidewalks and installing new planters and street lights. Penticton has no plans for highrise megaprojects as part of their new downtown.
Furthermore, Kelowna's downtown businessmen can do their fair share by improving the appearance of their storefronts as Penticton's downtown businesses will be paying 50 per cent of the costs of the planned improvements there.
Finally, the downtown must be viewed as one of several town centres and not the major town centre-a massive, dense and ugly place that will make people want to flee to the suburbs in order to escape it.
We should instead be striving to create a city of livable mixed use and pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods with no one neighbourhood being excessively larger and denser than any other.
John Zeger,
Kelowna
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Post by DuaneT on Mar 11, 2005 16:12:03 GMT -5
This is the reply that was printed in the Capital News on March 9th/05.. Below that will be the original letter that was sent in.
To the editor:
I would like to reply to John Zeger's letter in regards to a poll that, according to Mr. Zeger, states that most people are not in favour of developing Lawson Landing (Downtown Just Another Neighbourhood, March 2 Capital News).
Mr. Zeger makes the statement that "high density to make a downtown work is an outmoded (notion) and should be considered a planning error of the 20th century." Obviously he is not in touch with this community or human nature. If high density developments were not welcome then building would have stopped years ago and concentration would have been on large suburbs.
He also makes the statement that "tourists alike appreciate the small town atmosphere of our downtown." I guess it's easy for a tourist to come and say that they don't want development in our downtown core. They're not living here seeing the begging, the homeless people, the dealers selling, and the people using drugs in our parks.
I do agree with one thing. Our downtown can be made appealing by making it a more pedestrian friendly place. We can start by revitalizing the entire area by building Lawson Landing and creating a brand new park and waterfront area-one that will welcome tourists to our town and show them that we are building for the future.
As for obscuring our city's finest assets-the lake and mountains. Kelowna is surrounded by beautiful mountains and always will be, and the lake will always be there.
Mr. Zeger makes the comment that Penticton is on the right track by making their downtown businesses pay 50 per cent of the cost of these improvements.
How much money would Mr. Zeger like to see these business owners pay out of their own pocket again?
It is time we move forward with the idea of making our downtown core and waterfront the jewel of the Okanagan.
Mr. Zeger's attempt to blame the downtown Kelowna Business Association for not trying to fix up their businesses is just wrong. These are hard- working people who are trying to earn a living the best way they can. It is up to us, the citizens of Kelowna, to assist them in this way by agreeing with the development and revitalization of the downtown core. The city is not bailing them out of any problems but it is assisting in creating a worthwhile and long- term solution to this situation.
I live downtown. Everyday I see the effects of businesses trying to make it, seeing them close down when all we had to do is allow more high density residential development downtown and create a place where everyone in Kelowna will feel welcome and enjoy the new amenities that will be set up as a result.
It is time to remove the "old" and replace with the new. We have come to a point in this city's history that it is time to grow or let the rest of the world pass us by, and leave us wondering why we destroyed the future for our children and grandchildren.
Duane Tresnich,
Kelowna
Now this is the original letter:
To the editor;
I would like to reply to Mr. Zeger’s letter to the editor in regards to a poll that, according to Mr. Zeger, states that most people are not in favour of developing Lawson Landing. I have also read the results of your poll and would have to disagree with that. Just because a few more people at this time disagreed with the question does not mean the project is wrong. After all, I can submit a poll from the letters that have been sent to us, that 87% people in Kelowna are in favour of the project and 13% are not. Which poll will be right? That all depends on the time and place of the poll - right?
To continue, Mr. Zeger makes the statement that “high density to make a downtown work is an outmoded one and should be considered a planning error of the 20th century”. Obviously he is not in touch with this community or human nature. If high density developments were not welcome then building would have stopped years ago and concentration would have been on large suburbs. He also makes the statement that “tourists alike appreciate the small town atmosphere of our downtown”. I guess it’s easy for a tourist to come from a different town and say that they don’t want development in our downtown core. They’re not living here seeing the begging, the homeless people, the dealers selling, and the people using drugs in our parks.
I do agree with one thing. Our downtown can be made appealing by making it a more pedestrian friendly place. We can start by revitalizing the entire area by building Lawson Landing and creating a brand new park and waterfront area – one that will welcome tourists to our town and show them that we are building for the future. As for obscuring our city’s finest assets – the lake and mountains – look around, Mr. Zeger. Kelowna is surrounded by beautiful mountains and always will be, and the lake will always be there. I hope you’re next petition won’t be to destroy Waterfront park as it is blocking your view of the lake with all those trees and waterfalls.
You make the comment that Penticton is on the right track by making their downtown businesses pay 50% of the cost of these improvements. I can’t say what will happen in Penticton when this happens. I believe that the City of Kelowna and the Kelowna Downtown Business Association tried a similar idea at least three times to no avail.
So Mr Zeger, how much money would you like to see these business owners pay out of their own pocket again? Another reporter’s point that this is an old fashion idea for Kelowna is correct. It is time we move forward with the idea of making our downtown core and waterfront the jewel of the Okanagan. Your attempt of trying to blame the downtown Kelowna Business Association for not trying to fix up their businesses is just wrong. These are hard working people who are trying to earn a living the best way they can. It is up to us, the citizens of Kelowna, to assist them in this way by agreeing with the development and revitalization of the downtown core. The city is not bailing them out of any problems but they are assisting in creating a worthwhile and long term solution to this situation. I live downtown and see everyday the effects of businesses trying to make it and seeing them close down when all we had to do is allow more high density residential development downtown and create a place where everyone in Kelowna will feel welcome and enjoy the new amenities that well be set up as a result.
Maybe if you’re so concerned about the appearance of the downtown core, your group can buy some paint, pick up some paint brushes, go to the owners of the stores, and offer to fix up their places for free. But even with that fresh coat of paint, it will not fix up years of a downward spiral that has occurred in this area.
It is time for a new idea and a new way of thinking. Your thoughts of the Lawson Landing creating a negative impact for this city are as clearly flawed as your point of view. It is time to remove the “old” and replace with the new. We have come to a point in this city that it is time to grow or let the rest of the world pass us by, and leave us wondering why we destroyed the future for our children and grandchildren.
Sincerely
Duane Tresnich
MoveKelownaForward.com
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