My so-called village at 41st & Mackenzie consists of a dentist's office in the bottom floor of a house. That's it. At the open house city staff wanted positive feedback only.
Reminds me of my drive through Surrey, where these "little villages" have sprung up every few long blocks with the same stores and same types of restaurants. Just the same will happen with our new "little villages" if the city does not tackle its high taxes for small businesses, the high theft and vagrancy. Robson, a once thriving destination for shopping is depressing. Hard not to not add South Granville, West 10th and Chinatown to the ever expanding list. In the same vein, people are drawn to shopping on the internet because of not only convenience, but for choice. When a city takes away choice by not supporting small businesses to thrive, then it is counter productive. In addition, should the city not be incentivizing landlords to fill their empty spaces or at least penalizing them for allowing spaces to remain empty for so long with such exorbitant rents?
Andrea, sadly I agree with your comments. When I am in a slightly more positive mood I hope to make some practical suggestions as part of my Embrace/Enhance/Evolve (E3) series. Thanks for reading.
It is beyond clear to me that the city has little of any clue what they are doing. Aside from leveling “villages” for 30 story high rises. Not to mention that the city has driven out most small businesses with outrageous taxes. The COV direction is flawed because it’s based on a cash grab of higher density to generate more taxes. Which in turn in their minds will save the city from going bankrupt as a result of their incompetent governance.
My so-called village at 41st & Mackenzie consists of a dentist's office in the bottom floor of a house. That's it. At the open house city staff wanted positive feedback only.
Reminds me of my drive through Surrey, where these "little villages" have sprung up every few long blocks with the same stores and same types of restaurants. Just the same will happen with our new "little villages" if the city does not tackle its high taxes for small businesses, the high theft and vagrancy. Robson, a once thriving destination for shopping is depressing. Hard not to not add South Granville, West 10th and Chinatown to the ever expanding list. In the same vein, people are drawn to shopping on the internet because of not only convenience, but for choice. When a city takes away choice by not supporting small businesses to thrive, then it is counter productive. In addition, should the city not be incentivizing landlords to fill their empty spaces or at least penalizing them for allowing spaces to remain empty for so long with such exorbitant rents?
Andrea, sadly I agree with your comments. When I am in a slightly more positive mood I hope to make some practical suggestions as part of my Embrace/Enhance/Evolve (E3) series. Thanks for reading.
It is beyond clear to me that the city has little of any clue what they are doing. Aside from leveling “villages” for 30 story high rises. Not to mention that the city has driven out most small businesses with outrageous taxes. The COV direction is flawed because it’s based on a cash grab of higher density to generate more taxes. Which in turn in their minds will save the city from going bankrupt as a result of their incompetent governance.
Bill, it's hard to argue with your logic. Thanks for reading.
I entirely agree and thank you for laying it all out so clearly using the City's own contradictions and deficiencies.
Susan, thanks for reading.