Quote:
Originally Posted by PoscStudent
if the development ever gets approved.
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Do we really want to see it approved in its present form?
The reason I ask that question is to see what everyone thinks of the design and whether or not it could be better.
With all due respect to the architects I personally think the design and the overall development of that area could be better.
In reality what we are going to get is a 6 story office building with a very small retail component. The bulk of the mass is going to be yet another ugly waterfront parking garage.
It frustrates me to no end to see the total lack of vision for this whole block that has now been removed from heritage designation.
What are we going to end up with if the Eastport and Compusult proposals get built alongside the existing Templeton property? Three very different and equally ugly structures.
I’m not saying everything should look the same but imagine for a minute if that whole block could be developed as one big property, built in phases.
Here’s what I would do. Step 1 – bring all parties to the table and discuss with them their plans. We know that two out of three (Templetons being the exception) are ready to go. Step 2 – Get them to work together to design something that meets everyone’s needs, including the City. (maybe a design competition is a bit far fetched but it might be an interesting exercise) Step 3 – determine the timeline for developing the three phases. Yeah, sounds simple…lol.
I may have mentioned my “vision” here before and I strongly believe that it is as good or better than anything I’ve heard put forward so far, so I’ll repeat it, briefly.
Parking - # 1, hide it, # 2, design it as a single two or three level (maybe 4) structure encompassing almost the full footprint of the block, the only exception being retention of some curbside appeal.
Woolworths portion – Allow a maximum height of 14 or 15 stories but step it up and back so that it isn’t a giant cube or boring.
Compusult portion – Go for 8, maybe 9 stories total, again stepped up and back.
Templetons portion – (if and when they, or someone else, decide to go ahead) Allow of maybe three stories right at the cove but step up to a height of 5 to 7 stories.
Retail, public space etc. – the full length of Water St should be retained as retail space. As much of Harbor Drive as possible should be pedestrian friendly, perhaps a restaurant or café etc. Oh heck, why not throw in a tree or two. Between each “tower” should be some open space where practical.
Obviously this is just one idea and I fully realize that when you have multiple parties involved nothing can ever be that simple. For on thing you are in essence telling each owner that their land is of a different value based on what you will allow them to build. Difficult or not, what bothers me is that while I understand some discussions have taken place no one has been able to bring the parties to any agreement. That, to me, indicates a lack of leadership somewhere along the way.
I have pitched this idea to members of Council and have received some responses however things continue to move along as they have been. The sad part is that a year or two from now it will be too late to undo what will have been done.
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