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4th Ave Fix Up Should Come After Homeless Problem Solved

By Ben Meisner

Monday, March 02, 2009 03:45 AM

If you take a long hard look at the proposed re- development of 4th Ave in Prince George, complete with new streets and landscaping, you immediately  reflect on what actually happened to 3rd Ave  when the City spent several million re- doing that street.

Did the expenditures result in a significant or for that matter any change in the homeless problem on 3rd? No. Did the expenditure result in more businesses wanting to relocate onto 3rd? Look for yourself.

The City did succeed in moving some of the street people onto 2nd Ave, but wasn’t that largely done because of the new facilities that have sprung up along that street to assist the homeless?

If the whole exercise is being done to try and improve a small section of one street, then our money ($5.5 million of a $6.88 million dollar price tag) would be better spent.

Long before we get our check book out, we in the city would do well to look at how we can reduce the number of agencies working the down town homeless problem, that in itself has become a growth industry and the 200 or so homelessshould be the call to action, not how many agencies and people we have available to assist them.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.


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Posted on Monday, March 02, 2009 03:45 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Comment Posted by: taxinapothole on March 2 2009 7:31 AM
Ben, pretty much what I have said on this subject for some time now.

I did respond to the most recent article, about what is on councils plate tonight! I'll leave it at that!!

Love this sight Ben and Elaine! Keep up the good work.
Comment Posted by: Lamb on March 2 2009 8:18 AM
Making streets look "pretty" is like hanging flower baskets while our homeless problem is unsolved.
My personal reaction to the recently passed budget is the waste of money going to Initiatives Prince George, and River Road.
I don't think Initiatives Prince George is necessary and it is $1.35 million dollars. Rolls off the tongue easily but it is the taxpayers who are footing the bill.
As far as River Road is concerned that only benefits the Industry in that area. It increases traffic in the adjoining residential areas along Carney Street and further adds to our air quality problem.

The priorities of Council are not clear. Are they for improved air quality and concerned about homelessness or are they for appeasing the lobbyists?
Comment Posted by: Norm1 on March 2 2009 8:30 AM
When Ben said:

"The City did succeed in moving some of the street people onto 2nd Ave, but wasn’t that largely done because of the new facilities that have sprung up along that street to assist the homeless?"

What new facilities on 2nd avenue did he refer to and how long a period is meant by "new"?



Comment Posted by: Bridge on March 2 2009 10:04 AM
Ben Said;

The City did succeed in moving some of the street people onto 2nd Ave, but wasn’t that largely done because of the new facilities that have sprung up along that street to assist the homeless?"

And Ben is right. Appears that the smart posts on this site don't know whats going on in the down town area. St Vincent De Paul has a nice drop in centre on 2nd avenue for homeless people or for any one for that matter. They also have a used goods store on 3rd avenue. At the moment they are badly in need of used clothing.

As an after thought isnt the provincial government responsible for the homeless?

The develpement on 4th should go ahead. After all the city is responsible for the the problems of the down town area because of the poor planning. Let them use some of the tax dollars from the the development that they have planned for up on #16 West.

But then Prince George is overshadowed by the idea of capitalism which begs the question can we see any further then the end of our nose?

Cheers
Comment Posted by: Common Sense on March 2 2009 1:18 PM
this actually goes further than trying to make it look pretty, the underground infastructure is in desperate need of upgrading. does any body notice how many times throughout the year the city crews are digging up collapsed piping? do we really think that everything lasts forever? people spend way too much time looking at the negative side of this city.
Comment Posted by: Norm1 on March 2 2009 4:33 PM
My question for Ben still holds.... what new facilities for the homeless opened on 2nd avenue after 3rd avenue was redeveloped?

Both operations of St. Vincent de Paul have been in the 2nd and 3rd avenue locations for a minimum of 10 years. They were well established long before 3rd avenue was redeveloped.

Editorial comments need adequate research before being presented as fact.
Comment Posted by: Harbinger on March 2 2009 6:49 PM
Fixing up 4th Avenue will only make the homeless bums downtown look both ways before they cross the street. Other than that I see no reason.