351 replies to this topic

[thundergun]

Wasn't able to make it out on the weekend but have provided my feedback on the survey. I would recommend that others do the same.

http://www.victoria....r-dialogue.html

[ZGsta]

Yeah definitely take the survey.

[G-Man]

Hi all sorry for my delayed posting. Here are a few photos from the event. 

 

[Mr Cook Street]

Might be reading too much into this, but I think it bodes well for the Northern Junk development that their plans were included in the harbour display with the headline "Five Principles for a Successful Downtown."

[jonny]

OK, my vision is as follows.

 

- I'd like to see a concrete structure above the bulk of those two sites. Parking could remain underneath. I would imagine leaving most of the parking would be desirable.

- Above that structure, I want to see a boardwalk/promenade/esplanade along the harbor connecting the two properties.

- These lots should be mixed use with stores, restaurants and businesses. There should be lots of public space, but not too much space, if that makes any sense. I don't want wasted space for the sake of public space, but a busy area. There should be a wide variety of reasons to go to this area. It shouldn't just be a tourist location or a place for events, but a place for everyday occasions and commerce.

- Above the promenade should be 2-3 floors max. This would provide the opportunity for balconies and such overlooking the harbor (restaurants, bars?).

- Most public space should be closer to Ship Point, like maybe an amphitheater or something and maybe one of those kids squirting water attractions? 

- Everything built should be open concept, with lots of walking access and everything needs to flow together with downtown, but not be kitschy.

- The integration with the harbor will be the tricky part with a raised structure. I'm stuck between having a raised boardwalk/esplanade or one at sea level. Maybe a grand staircase at the amphitheater that goes down to the harbor boardwalk?

 

It should look something like Baltimore, without the ugly architecture. There's lots of access to the harbor with Baltimore. There's the walkway, sea level restaurants and then second floor restaurants and stuff.

 

[aastra]

 

...it bodes well for the Northern Junk development that their plans were included in the harbour display...

 

I suppose, but it's also an odd thing to do, isn't it? Making a reference to a project that exists only on paper, and one that might never actually be realized? I'm not trying to curse it, I'm just making the point that anything can happen.

Edited by aastra, 14 May 2014 - 08:51 AM.

[Holden West]

^aastra, where's your Wharf mock-up?

[G-Man]

So to be clear the Northern Junk poster was from the DVBA table at the event and not the city. 

 

As for where to locate the buildings one of issues that was presented to me is that most of the lot areas close to the water are built on dredge fill material with the bedrock angling steeply down from the parts near Wharf Street. This means, particularly at the Ships Point area that any new structures will have to  go closer to the wall. I think this would still allow for something along the lines of the Baltimore example shown above. The fill on the Northern lot is not so bad from a containment perspective but the Ships Point one is a little more sketchy.

[Mike K.]

What I feel we should be emulating is Cape Town's inner city industrial waterfront (check the link and cruise around, it's pretty big). It's absolutely amazing and manages to combine public, private and municipal uses in the same places at the same time. They've done an absolutely exemplary job over there but so few locals have experienced it that it rarely, if ever, gets any mention locally.

[lanforod]

Hmm. Cape Town is nice though I found the Harbour there a little disjointed. Didn't flow well. Would certainly call it a good starting point. It has a really nice wheel, several nice markets, an aquarium, tons of restaurants of all sorts. Boat cruises.

[Mike K.]

They are in the process of redeveloping some of the disjointed pieces that you mention. It's all coming together so darned well over there. It's too bad it's so far away and pricey to travel there for many travelers but I'd go every year if I could.

[Hotel Mike]

Someone called me a pedant for pointing out that it is Ship Point, singular. So I am reminding folks that is called Ship Point.

[G-Man]

Sounds better plural. If we keep using Ships Point it will be the common usage and the City will have to change the name.

[Holden West]

Aastra is too modest to show off his old hypothetical rendering so I will do it on his behalf. You have to look close to notice this is not real--it looks so natural and logical.

 

[Bingo]

Sounds better plural. If we keep using Ships Point it will be the common usage and the City will have to change the name.

 

It we put the sewage treatment plant down there, then we will have to change the name again to S*** Point.

[gumgum]

Coming to New West.

 

Click

Attached Images

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[jonny]

Aastra is too modest to show off his old hypothetical rendering so I will do it on his behalf. You have to look close to notice this is not real--it looks so natural and logical.

 

 

That's a winner, but I don't see my amphitheater!

[Mike K.]

That looks like a bar I went to in Berlin. It's so bizarre to sit along a river, drinking beer, while your senses are trying to convince you you're at the beach.

[aastra]

I still like the idea of building smaller mixed-use buildings down there instead of some major project, but a major project that has abundant viewing space and green space on the roof at roughly the same level as Wharf Street would also be terrific.

[Hotel Mike]

Don't forget there will also be a space, when the Harbour Air terminal building is removed from the land it currently occupies. It is still in your shot.