588 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

I was wondering about this "Fraser" building myself. I don't remember it being there when I went to UVic (of course that was in prehysteric* times)

*pun intended

[Mike K.]

Ok, i see. I was wondering why the name didn’t ring a bell.

The Fraser building was named in honour of Murray and Anne Fraser.

Murray Fraser (1937-1997) was the University of Victoria's (UVic) founding law dean. He served as vice-president academic from 1983 to 1988.

Anne Fraser is a nationally syndicated CBC radio commentator who spearheaded efforts to preserve Halifax's historic waterfront buildings. She developed innovative continuing studies courses at UVic.

[aastra]

 

Next thing you know they'll drop "Vikings" as the sports teams names...

 

Cultural appropriation is perfectly acceptable as long as it's the right kind of cultural appropriation.

[aastra]

 

Anne Fraser is a nationally syndicated CBC radio commentator who spearheaded efforts to preserve Halifax's historic waterfront buildings.

 

Somebody should install a plaque in her honour down on Victoria's Wharf Street parking lots.

[lanforod]

Jeepers, this isn't exactly new news. The building was renamed over 20 years ago: https://www.uvic.ca/...spring2001.pdf 

[aastra]

What's old is new again. Especially on VV.

[aastra]

I'm still seething about that whole Constantinople/Istanbul thing.

[BikeLaneLover]

They cut down a large swath of trees between the Fraser building and Ring Rd today for site preparation. It was sad seeing the greenery get chopped down, but to be fair most of it is only as new as the Fraser Bldg itself.

The rendering on the new National Center for Indigenous Law are on UVic’s website here: https://www.uvic.ca/...s-law/index.php

Between this, Buildings 1 & 2, the BC Transit Bus Loop (which is poorly designed), and the upcoming Civil Engineering building, UVic has been a veritable hive of development activity.

[lanforod]

Is the bus loop actually bad? It’s an improvement on the previous iteration I think.

[BikeLaneLover]

Is the bus loop actually bad? It’s an improvement on the previous iteration I think.

The new shelters that were added are terribly placed. The covered areas are almost all by the drop off bays where nobody actually waits for buses. The busiest route, the 4, got no shelters whatsoever, nor did the 14. The 15, which is getting to be a very popular route, is closest to the main covered area, but still too far away. Also, half the benches face into a grassy area instead of a sidewalk, so absolutely no one uses it.

The pavement and concrete pads for buses a good basic upgrades, but the actual shelter options for people are abysmal and totally misplaced. It’s embarrassingly bad. It gives off the vibe that whoever designed the layout had no idea what they were doing and just guessed at where they should put all the shelter infrastructure.

Edited by BikeLaneLover, 30 November 2022 - 02:05 AM.

[Mike K.]

Oh oh.

Could you snap a photo for us next time you have a chance?

[MysticalWarrior]

Oh oh.

Could you snap a photo for us next time you have a chance?

 

I might be heading there later today, so I can try to snap one then (unless someone here snaps one before I do!).

 

I never really realized the lack of shelters for the 4, 14 and 15 stops until now; I wonder if it's because those stops are the closest to the bookstore that perhaps it's too narrow of a pathway to install shelters there? Otherwise, I totally agree that the sheltering at both bus loops are awful as each bay only has one, and people typically crowd under them when it's raining or hot, leaving others waiting either soaking wet or scorching. if only we had what UBC has with shelters extending the full length of the walkway...

 

[Mike K.]

I was looking at that photo and thinking dang, that’s real nice. What’s the problem?! Then I read your post

Well, we tried. As long as you try, you still get a pass. I think you guys should connect with campus planning and ask them why they botched the work. Get answers. You pay for that stuff.

[Victoria Watcher]

That's a great photo, MW!

[MysticalWarrior]

Whoops, I should have added a link to the original photo, but I'll take the credit for finding that great photo!    https://buzzer.trans...w-ubc-exchange/

 

The funny thing about the UVic one is that they do have similar (but shorter) extended shelters like the UBC one, but they're used exclusively as shelters for the bike racks. As much as I would like to rally up my peers and provide feedback to campus planning though, I think it was BC Transit themselves that funded and oversaw the construction so we might not have that much sway    plus, it seems like everyone (including myself) is slowly warming up to it and will eventually accept it as is, much like when the second bus loop on the SUB side was first built.

[Nparker]

Kids today. This architectural wonder was the bus shelter for most of my time at UVic (bike racks have replaced the wooden benches)

[BikeLaneLover]

…it seems like everyone (including myself) is slowly warming up to it and will eventually accept it as is, much like when the second bus loop on the SUB side was first built.

The first phase of the bus loop that was done (quite a few years ago now) at least had shelters more or less in front of where the buses pick up the passengers (although the 26 should have had a much larger shelter).

I’m not against shelters for bikes (see my username) but it makes absolutely no sense to spend what I assume cost tens of thousands of dollars to house a handful of bikes for some of the year, while literally thousands of students have to stand in the rain for six months of the year.

As for your observation about the bookstore’s proximity, Mystical Warrior, I’m sure they could have done a one-sided shelter that didn’t compromise or conflict with building codes. To me, the issue is the planners and designers trying to shoe-horn in the existing ‘style’ to match the other side rather than considering what was actually needed by the users of the service itself. Students (ironically) aren’t very good at advocating for themselves, so I doubt anything will change (unless I do something as Mike K suggests).

Edited by BikeLaneLover, 01 December 2022 - 01:21 AM.

[Mike K.]

I’d raise it with the SU. Or the Martlett people. I’m sure they know what doors to knock on. It might make for some good content.

[MysticalWarrior]

As promised, here is a snapshot of the renovated bus loop! Nothing too special, really. The lack of shelters, however, is pretty apparent; the same goes for the other side.

 

[aastra]

If it's unusual for large numbers of people to be waiting around during the rainy months then the lack of shelters was probably the right call.