To be honest if I were a concerned citizen (which I am I guess) I would be FAR, FAR more concerned about the Big Boxes going in down the street and the housing ghettos in Rosemary Heights than the infill development in Ocean Park and the building up in the Semi Mall-WR town center area.
The juxtaposition of these varied developments is ironic at best. White Rock is sticking to its guns ( to the chagrin of its more vocal residents) but Surrey seems a little bipolar these days. How does one simaltaneously approve a big box power center, a high rise mixed use district, densifying an established community node by subdividing large lots and a suburban sprawl wasteland of cookie cutter houses? Perhaps they hope the effects will cancel out- some people will be driving less so others can drive more. Some logic. Transit will conveniently serve the area that is being sucked dry by lower prices down the road.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
More Bussing Fun
How about adding buses for special events such as fireworks?
I tried to catch the 6:57 bus from first at 128 & 24 and the got a ride down to the Park & Ride when it was late and I decided that I'd missed it. It ended up being 15 min late and completely full when it got there- didn't even stop.
Left 15 people standing there to wait an hour or do as I did and attempt a 2 1/2 hr transit marathon via 321(also late and very full) -skytrain-99 B-line to get into Kitsilano.
Quite the reward for CHOOSING the environmentally-conscious route and taking transit. I left a car in my driveway because I thought I should use my U-Pass!
Fortunately I've found a blog full of comments from people who share my pain - Improve the 351 (see links on the side) shares a variety of suggestions to deal with the issue. Pretty much it boils down to more buses, more often as the population of the Peninsula continues to grow frighteningly fast.
I tried to catch the 6:57 bus from first at 128 & 24 and the got a ride down to the Park & Ride when it was late and I decided that I'd missed it. It ended up being 15 min late and completely full when it got there- didn't even stop.
Left 15 people standing there to wait an hour or do as I did and attempt a 2 1/2 hr transit marathon via 321(also late and very full) -skytrain-99 B-line to get into Kitsilano.
Quite the reward for CHOOSING the environmentally-conscious route and taking transit. I left a car in my driveway because I thought I should use my U-Pass!
Fortunately I've found a blog full of comments from people who share my pain - Improve the 351 (see links on the side) shares a variety of suggestions to deal with the issue. Pretty much it boils down to more buses, more often as the population of the Peninsula continues to grow frighteningly fast.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A Question of Pay
Well they're not in it for the money- we know that for sure! White Rock councillors max out at $20K a year so there must be other motives. Time to kill, an overwhelming feeling of goodwill to all mankind? Bless them (in a religion free manner) - to spend your free time bickering with a bunch of similarly kind-hearted individuals with constant pressure from a bunch of lonely old seniors with nothing better to do than scrutinize your every move and hold you accountable for it -is not my idea of a good time.
Sure they make their fair share of gaffs- off the top of my head: pen stabbing resulting in assault charges and a restraining order, buying Sprit Bears unauthorized on the city tab and accepting an all expenses paid trip to China from a developer- but what do you expect from a bunch of citizens with a experience in small business, nursing, realtyand special education. Small town politics is a progression of volunteer and board positions until suddenly someone's mother who used to volunteer at the hospital has a part-time job at the helm of a small city with $22 million to spend every year.
Sure they make their fair share of gaffs- off the top of my head: pen stabbing resulting in assault charges and a restraining order, buying Sprit Bears unauthorized on the city tab and accepting an all expenses paid trip to China from a developer- but what do you expect from a bunch of citizens with a experience in small business, nursing, realtyand special education. Small town politics is a progression of volunteer and board positions until suddenly someone's mother who used to volunteer at the hospital has a part-time job at the helm of a small city with $22 million to spend every year.
Big Boxes on the Horizon
No onsite parking-until this becomes the parking lot.Will the desired revitalization of White Rock's town centre remain a dream when a big-box power center in the making just blocks away becomes a reality in the next year or so. "Productivity, utility and efficiency on a pedestal- nothing else matters" says the Geo. 350 text. Is that what the 'high end' residents of SSWR (South Surrey- White Rock) want or do they value their shopping experience? Even if they value it- will they be willing to pay the price for it when a cheaper alternative becomes just a short car ride away?
Home Depot is already in place- currently sitting forlorn in a desert of asphalt. Its doing pretty well judging by the cars in the lot 7 days a week from 9AM-10PM.
Home Depot is already in place- currently sitting forlorn in a desert of asphalt. Its doing pretty well judging by the cars in the lot 7 days a week from 9AM-10PM.
Farewell to the Few
The key to diversity in retail is independent business. Those along the Cambie Line are not the only ones suffering due to excavation, equipment and workers blocking their storefronts. Many White Rock small businesses are suffering due to the current construction of the towers. Featured in today's paper were 16 small businesses affected by current conditions. An example of filtering up- many of these stores will be forced to relocate where they will be inaccessible to customers whom they have served for many years. Others will close, unable to find somewhere new to start over again. Only chains such as BC Liquor, Buy-Low Foods and People's Pharmacy have the funds and the high-end consumer appeal to move into the new Miramar Village. Consignment stores, hair salons, a tailor, a chocolate shop and a few food establishments will be lost or reinvented in new locations, their unique contributions to an abundance of painfully similar retail options sorely missed by their loyal followers.
Is this a fault of gentrification- it eliminates diversity- or is this simply a cyclical phenomenon? It remains to be seen whether or not this development will catch on, be successful and meet the needs of the community. It remains to be seen whether or not Miramar will act as a catalyst for growth in the area or if it will merely defer the stagnation and eventual decline. The developer is merely providing a shell- does White Rock center have enough sustinence to make the area vibrant and lively?
Can an area be successful and independent? White Rock's uptown was formerly independent but was characterized by the highest vacancy rate in the Lower Mainland and not successful financially in the way that big-box and chain retailers coming into the area are. A successful area is not usually independent for long- Starbucks notices and then Mac's moves in around the corner. Not always bad-but a change towards homogeneity and a monoculture that steals our collective identity.
Is this a fault of gentrification- it eliminates diversity- or is this simply a cyclical phenomenon? It remains to be seen whether or not this development will catch on, be successful and meet the needs of the community. It remains to be seen whether or not Miramar will act as a catalyst for growth in the area or if it will merely defer the stagnation and eventual decline. The developer is merely providing a shell- does White Rock center have enough sustinence to make the area vibrant and lively?
Can an area be successful and independent? White Rock's uptown was formerly independent but was characterized by the highest vacancy rate in the Lower Mainland and not successful financially in the way that big-box and chain retailers coming into the area are. A successful area is not usually independent for long- Starbucks notices and then Mac's moves in around the corner. Not always bad-but a change towards homogeneity and a monoculture that steals our collective identity.
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