Public Input on Downtown Development a Waste of Time

Wednesday, June 15, 2005 04:02 AM

Asking for more public input on how to develop downtown Prince George is a waste of time. That is the message Designer, Paul Zanette delivered to City Hall last night. Speaking at a public consultation session, Zanette said with all the studies and plans that have been developed over the years, there has been a distinct lack of implementation of any plans "There are no goals, no timelines, no committments" he told City Manager George Paul.

"I spent 3 days in Kelowna in February designing 6 blocks for that city, and that city's Council is already going ahead with the plan" Zanette told the group. He added that when it comes to Prince George's downtown, "30 to 50 people are impacting 85 thousand others" He was refering to the drug users, hookers, homeless and panhandlers who frequent the area. "People who need to be here aren't, they've given up"

President of the Downtown Business Association, Kirk Gable, echoed Zanette's concerns "When a CEO gets off the shuttle bus at the Ramada and is greeted by drunks and boarded up buildings, it doesn't make a very good impression". Gable added "The single most important economic development issue for the city is the development of downtown". In Gable's words there needs to be "committment, political will and money".

Local Marketing company operator and political hopeful Shawn Petriw voiced his concern that City Hall appears to make it cheaper to develop properties outside the downtown area,and that once the shift to another area has been started, it's difficult to turn the tide.

Councilors Don Basserman and Murry Krause attended the session with Basserman noting the courthouse, Art Gallery and the Civic Centre are strong cornerstones for what can be a viable downtown.

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Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 04:02 AM in News by Elaine Macdonald

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Comments

Posted by: rock on June 15 2005 1:25 PM

Political will,commitment and money,these are all words used to describe what's needed downtown,well here's a few.....,balls,jam,Kahones backbone, something that our council and mayor don't have.Maybe we need to be paying the mayor $250 k a year and the councilors $100k per year,if we did that we would at least get some decent applicants for the jobs.
over and out ROCK

Posted by: spanky on June 15 2005 6:34 PM

yeah i hope "lil Colin" spent that 100k wisely because come fall i don't think he'll be around anymore.

peace out and have a dream.

Posted by: gypsy on June 16 2005 8:39 AM

Jeez, I get a real kick out of these idiots that believe "flogging a dead horse" will get it up and running. Revitalize downtown? What downtown? We really need those so called "cornerstones" Basserman. I bet that "Art Gallery and Civic Centre" eat up a hell of a lot of tax dollars to keep them in operation-for damned few!!!!! I think Krause has the right idea. His "bleeding heart" attitude wants the druggies, homeless, and wandering ladies all given their rightful place in this world. I agree. Give them George Street and a goodly portion of 3rd Ave., Oh heck, give it all to them!!!!Murray will find the resources to fix up some of those buildings, and we have the boarded up ones for privacy and "do whatever you want" in. Keep the needles and garbage out of the back alleys, and Offet could arrange some tours from that Info Centre on 1st ave to show tourists how we take care of our "poor souls" in Prince George. We are truly the "heart" land city. I always say-if you can't fight 'em--figure out a way to capitalize of 'em!!!!! Don't get me wrong!!! I have nothing against this section of society, and I know I will continue to pay taxes to support them and their needs, and needles, but I do think we should keep them all located in one area. We have such a good start, so let's get on with it!! We might end up having to cordon a few blocks off, as some panhandlers won't fully appreciate the good care they receive as they like to hassle for a few pieces of silver. and will stray out of the area-like over to the liquor store at Parkwood!!!!
I really don't think I have all the answers--YET. I am putting my mind to finding solutions but who will listen??? Hope springs eternal!!
Maybe a new Mayor and Council will show up come fall. By then I should be exploding with some follow up ideas.
Kirk and Shawn are just too too late. The deed is done boys. Face it and get on with your lives. Or just hang in there and grow old with it. Cheers

Posted by: rock on June 16 2005 11:16 AM

Gypsy,I kinda think your on to something here,rather than give them George st,we could just give them the Allan's scrap and salvage site,then turn the old Harley dealership into a little liquor store,it would be great Salvation army,liquor,activators half way house,all these people could be tucked away in a little corner of the city,we then rename it "Lil Collin and Murray's playpen"
Like ol spanky say's,watch out city council were going to run this town.
Rock,keepin it real 24/7

Posted by: gypsy on June 17 2005 10:30 AM

Jeez, I was talking to some friends of mine yesterday. After all, I do know some professional people---well one anyhow!!!! The others just kind of believe in working for a living--rather an odd lot!!! Anyhow, to get on with it, nary a one of them have ever set foor into that cornerstone Basserman is so proud of-the Art Gallery. They all avoid the court house like the plague, so that cornerstone is out of the question. They were uncertain as to what the drawing card was at the Civic Centre. Basserman should elaborate a bit on his statements so the working class know what the hell he is talking about. He must have a load of ideas about revitalizing this long doomed downtown, but he is so damed secretive he won't tell all!!! Wonder if he is going to run for Mayor and baffle us all with his brilliance or buffalo us with his b s???? He is one smoooooth talker, and uses all those big words and proper enunciation to show up guys like Skakun and Moose, who flounder a bit trying to get a point across. I do think a couple of these guys should be voted back in-strictly for entertainment reasons!!! Are you with me??? Keeps me from switching channels when ol red face gets on. Man, I hate getting nasty. Better I go cut grass--the outside green kind!!! I'm still so glad I am on the right side of it!!! Cheers

Posted by: snappi on June 21 2005 8:57 PM

Who wants to go downtown? Well I guess if you want to be accausted by drug addicts,drunks and lets don't forget the homeless people. Oh sorry I think most of those are homeless people. All that considered I just can't imagine what fixing up the downtown core is going to do. Not to mention the fact that we have Pine Center...oh and don't forget now all the big box stores are up in College Heights. Gee why would anyone go downtown?