39 replies to this topic

[LJ]

Very uninspired concept. 

[Baro]

I'm totally checked out on this,  given up bothering to give input because they just want to replace the vacuum of a parking lot with a vacuum of "green space".  Some green and shade would be nice scattered around,  but not as the dominant focus.  This area needs building, activity, a whole mix of uses that sees it a hub of activity year round.  

 

I don't care about the minutia of the green space design, the real important choice was already made wrong, nothing else will save this project.

[Nparker]

What Baro said.

[aastra]

The pavilion building seems to be longer and more practical now than the comically tiny version that was in the earlier images. But yeah, it's still mostly a landscaping project.

[amor de cosmos]

The old closed portion of pier at Ship Point will undergo a $3.21-million upgrade so it can be reopened next spring.

The cost of the project, which is seen as a start of a phased repair of the pier, will be shared between the City of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, with the GVHA contributing $2 million and the city the balance. The plan is to replace the timber structure under the closed portion of the pier with steel piles.

City staff said the new materials can be used in any future works and the steel piles can also be raised toaccommodate rises in sea level. It’s estimated complete replacement of the pier will be needed in five years. The estimated cost of replacing the old pier with a new steel and concrete pier is $9.3 million, staff said.

Victoria councillors this week agreed to reallocate $1.21 million in funding from the Belleville Street complete streets project to undertake the repair.

The GVHA’s $2-million contribution is a significant investment, said Coun. Margaret Lucas, the city’s representative on the harbour authority.

“They recognize that we need to partner in these large projects and the vibrancy and what this is going to bring to the city of Victoria right in our downtown area is significantly important,” Lucas said. “We cannot leave it in the condition that it’s in. I don’t see that as an option here.”

A major portion of the 1949 pier was closed last September due to safety concerns. An inspection found many of the old wood piers and the decking were severely deteriorating.

http://www.timescolo...oint-1.23336777

[Nparker]

How do any repairs for Ship's Point figure into the so-called master plan envisioned for this site? Will working being done now have to be re-done if the proposed improvements go ahead?

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria considers resurrecting master plan for Ship Point

https://www.timescol...p-point-7545516


“It’s a big project, it’s going to have multiple phases and it’s going to be quite expensive,” Alto said, noting that although she hasn’t seen any recent cost projections, the master plan was estimated in 2018 to cost $65.5 million, so it’s likely closer to $100 million now.

Alto said the city would probably seek financial partnerships with other levels of government, something she expects will be part of today’s discussion, as will how much of the existing master plan is kept.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 September 2023 - 04:03 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The plan was approved as a design concept in 2017 but later shelved because of shifting priorities.

 

[Nparker]

Other levels of government are still funded by taxpayers.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

The plan was approved as a design concept in 2017 but later shelved because of shifting priorities.

 

 

 

 

Where is the part here that notes it was officially "shelved"?

 

 

 

https://www.victoria...aster-plan.html

 

 

It was just more likely forgotten about since the council was too stupid to know how to move things forward.  "Thanks, staff, that's a hell of plan you have there.  Sorry we have no idea what to do now".

 

The last news item I can see is from May 2018:

 

https://www.timescol...al-site-4662093

 

In the coming years, the parking lot with some of the best views in the city could be transformed into a beautiful, well-designed public waterfront park and festival site.

 

Last week, the City of Victoria unveiled a detailed design concept of its master plan for Ship Point. On Tuesday, the public is invited to an information session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the City Hall antechamber. A draft plan is expected to be brought before council in June.

 

No cost has been set for the project. If approved, it would almost certainly be undertaken in phases.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 September 2023 - 07:00 AM.

[Mike K.]

I supposed COVID stalled whatever momentum had begun.

[Victoria Watcher]

I supposed COVID stalled whatever momentum had begun.

 

Why?  City inside workers lost not a single day of work.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 September 2023 - 12:58 PM.

[spanky123]

I supposed COVID stalled whatever momentum had begun.

 

I think that lack of money stalled whatever was planned. It was $68M then and likely over $100M now. Unless the Feds and Province kick in a lot then the City would have to go to a referendum (or try the negative option billing equiv) to borrow that amount. Add in a new pool, centennial square and lots of other priorities and it is doubtful that it would pass.

[Mike K.]

I guess not. There was no shelving. I can’t copy for some reason, but things were plugging along the whole time.

Here’s the report: https://pub-victoria...ocumentId=92777

In 2021, council asked staff to review the 2017 plan in 2022, to report back on a reduced scope. The 2018 costing was $66 million. In today’s dollars that’s almost $80 million. In 2022 council approved looking into “alternate seawall restoration,” some subsurface work and a pathway, and “trade-offs.”

[Nparker]

It could pass if renters aren't affected by the subsequent tax increase.

[Victoria Watcher]

Years after the plan was put to the side, Victoria’s Ship Point revitalization plan has passed the first step.

 

In 2017, council asked staff to come back with a plan to overhaul the waterfront property, which is currently a parking lot. When staff returned with the plan in 2019, it was dropped.

 

Now, the current council is getting the ball rolling once again and has unanimously approved the plan in the committee of the whole.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...t-step-1169015/

[Nparker]

Unless private money gets on board, this project should be indefinitely postponed. Taxpayers are already overburdened just trying to maintain the infrastructure and services we already have. It's utterly irresponsible for the CoV council to even contemplate this type of public expense at this time.

[Victoria Watcher]

Unless private money gets on board, this project should be indefinitely postponed. Taxpayers are already overburdened just trying to maintain the infrastructure and services we already have. It's utterly irresponsible for the CoV council to even contemplate this type of public expense at this time.

 

I think it needs a better vision, for sure.

 

If it's just going to be park or green space, you can buy a lot of that for $100M, probably nearby.

 

Show us the remarkable uses this will have, then we might buy in.

[Nparker]

I'll consider "buying into" this project when all CoV roads have been repaved, no sidewalks are crumbling and there's proof that our water and sewer systems are adequate for the next 100 years.

[Victoria Watcher]

The ongoing thingy.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...google_vignette

 

Alto said there’s enthusiasm around the council table for tackling things like Crystal Pool, Royal Athletic Park and Ship Point, but they will have to be realistic given the financial reality.

 

“Ship Point for example may start in this term, but it’s so big that I can’t imagine it could be completed in this term,” she said, adding that competing for time and resources are massive infrastructure projects to improve retaining walls, water and sewer systems, and roads.

 

They’re also tackling community safety with a panel of community leaders that will report back with options in the fall that are also likely to challenge the budget.

 

“There are so many things I’d like to do, and it’s hard to pick,” Alto said. “I think you’ll see introduction of some new things, but always in consideration of our ability to pay.”