794 replies to this topic

[Anonymous]

Photo from May 5

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[RFS]

They need to do some road work in this area

[Mike K.]

As promised (May 13)

 

 

 

 

 

[MarkoJ]

Photos from May 20th

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[MarkoJ]

Photos from June 14th

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Edited by MarkoJ, 15 June 2016 - 08:07 AM.

[amor de cosmos]

A new library branch apparently will find a prominent home in the new Capital Park development behind the legislature in James Bay.

Victoria councillors are expected Thursday to approve $1.5 million in capital spending for the 7,500-square-foot branch, inclusion of $232,000 for lease costs for 2018, and $110,000 for the city’s share of the operating budget.

Mayor Lisa Helps called the development exciting.

“It’s something that I think is very, very good from the perspective of Victoria taxpayers. More to the point, it will add a much-needed new library in an area of town that is rapidly densifying,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see that mezzanine built out and people spilling out into the courtyard with their freshly signed-out library book, walking over to the local café and reading in the sunshine.”

http://www.timescolo...books-1.2278826

[Danma]

A new library branch apparently will find a prominent home in the new Capital Park development behind the legislature in James Bay.

 

Wonder how James Bay NIMBYs can spin this into something new to complain about. Books give people ideas, it's true!

[Mike K.]

Is James Bay "rapidly densifying," as Helps said? There's nothing major on the books for James Bay other than some 150 units at Capital Park, a couple of townhome projects and a four-storey woodframe. There's the seniors tower in front of Q Apartments on Belleville, albeit within the James Bay boundary, is arguably a downtown project with the downtown library in closer proximity.

What's with the misinformation lately? One minute we're being told there has been a dry spell in the hotel industry, despite a dozen new hotels built over the last decade or so, and now Helps claims James Bay is wildly densifying -- when there are no indicators that it is.

So where is the Vic West library? That area actually is rapidly densifying.

[aastra]

I'd bet a few donuts that James Bay's densification has never been less rapid than it is right about now. But it depends what she meant by "an area of town". This particular block will be getting more dense, for sure. Maybe she knows something that we don't?

 

Re: that image of the corner, I like how the architecture suggests three different buildings even though it's all one big project.

[Coreyburger]

I'd bet a few donuts that James Bay's densification has never been less rapid than it is right about now. But it depends what she meant by "an area of town". This particular block will be getting more dense, for sure. Maybe she knows something that we don't?

 

Re: that image of the corner, I like how the architecture suggests three different buildings even though it's all one big project.

We have the stats for it (from building permit information that Stats Can collects monthly). Wonder if anybody has crunched that data.

[jonny]

James Bay is rapidly densifying? lol!

[aastra]

 

...it depends what she meant by "an area of town".

 

She may be thinking of Concert's project for the motel site, too.

[Nparker]

...Re: that image of the corner, I like how the architecture suggests three different buildings even though it's all one big project.

If the renderings are accurate, there are some very interesting designs on board for Capital Park.

[VicHockeyFan]

James Bay is rapidly densifying? lol!

 

Ya, made me laugh too.  What a stupid statement.  I think things like the library just expand for the sake of expanding sometimes, with no real business case.  James Bay is not poorly served by buses that go right more or less to the Central Branch downtown.

 

Then Madoff is all pleased they are that they "accepted" the library when they did not have to.  You get a  golden lease/tenant like that, as the developer you bend over backwards to get it.

 

It's great when you can negotiate with a tenant, without that tenant having to go spoil it all by putting RFP's out looking for the best value etc.**  Same how the library went to Uptown.  Speaking of that, what's with the old library building there now?

 

** watch for a whole bunch more of this at 1515 Douglas St., as government tenants move to some nice new digs on the taxpayer dime.

[aastra]

 

She may be thinking of Concert's project for the motel site, too.

 

And the residences at the Empress, too.

[jonny]

I wouldn't be surprised if James Bay's population has actually decreased in recent years.

 

We all know that Victoria's population in general is not "rapidly densifying". James Bay has to have the lowest volume of construction in Victoria proper.

[jonny]

So why do we need a new library? Didn't this just sort of come out of the blue? What about fire hall #1? Crystal Pool?

 

Who pays to maintain the Greater Victoria Libraries, anyway?

[jonny]

Ya, made me laugh too.  What a stupid statement.

 

More proof that Helps just says whatever comes to mind. She simply does not conduct business utilizing facts and analysis. Everything is on a whim. I have grown tired of this fly by the seat of her pants management style. Does City Hall do any analysis or is it all just management by soundbites and feelings?

[nagel]

there's a capital expense by the city (1.5 mil I think) and part of the operating from them as well (101K/year)

[aastra]

I don't have a problem with neighbourhood library branches.