North downtown /= uptown
#21
Posted 28 December 2006 - 06:24 PM
#22
Posted 28 December 2006 - 06:39 PM
So I'm looking at that PDF Holden linked to, and I notice that "regular" downtown (excepting “waterfront” and “Chinatown”) is called “Old Commercial District,” which naturally enough made me wonder where “New Commercial District” is. Which in turn made me think that the area we’re talking about needs the word “New” (not “North”) in it. So I thought about “New Commercial District,” but considered that too clunky. And then I thought, “What about just calling it New Downtown District, which will soon enough be shortened to “New Downtown.”
Therefore, I suggest calling it “New Downtown.”
The area has been so unloved and neglected for so long, it’s crying out for a make-over, including a name that’s suggestive of all the possibilities: “new.” Unloved and low-rent: when truckers make deliveries here, do they stay at the Empress overnight? No, they go to Travellers Inn. Do we have nice architecture there (aside from the Bay)? No, it’s mostly hit-and-miss, quick-and-dirty purpose-built stuff -- excepting a few nuggets of historical gold (the Armoury [?], a few nice old buildings along Douglas, Government, etc. -- but you get the gist: most of it is in dire need of an overhaul and redevelopment).
By giving it a name like “New Downtown,” we’d also be signalling that this is an area where things are happening, or are going to happen. New possibilities, new architecture, new commercial ventures, new residential opportunities, new business opportunities.
Calling it "New Downtown" would also say, in effect, that we recognize that there’s an “Old Downtown,” and that no one is proposing razing it or tinkering with its nasty bits to the point of destroying “what the tourists come to Victoria for.” It might go some way to smoothing some feathers. “Old Downtown” needs its own brand of revitalization, but no one is proposing to change its character.
But “New Downtown” is where we get to play with building blocks: it’s Victoria’s new, exciting alternative downtown. (At least according to the name...!) “New Downtown” is the place for tall and slim, for some exciting architecture, for new commercial office spaces, etc. Plus, the other advantage of packaging/ branding that area in this way is that it takes the traffic pressure of “Old Downtown”: if people are commuting in from the Western Comms and Saanich, they don’t have to drive all the way to “Old Downtown” if their lovely new office is in “New Downtown.” And if we ever got LRT or better public transportation, that would tie right in, too.
Anyway, I rather like the idea: “New Downtown.” From there, you can still break it into neighbourhoods and districts (SoBa, NoFi, etc.), and you’re not limiting yourself from the outset, because “New Downtown” can start fairly small, but has opportunities to spread.
#23
Posted 28 December 2006 - 07:36 PM
How about New Town or Newton for short...
I just always try to answer this question: What part of town do you live in?
I live in New Downtown.
I live in North Downtown.
I live in Chatham.
I live in Rock Bay
#24
Posted 28 December 2006 - 07:56 PM
#25
Posted 28 December 2006 - 08:07 PM
#26
Posted 28 December 2006 - 08:14 PM
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#27
Posted 28 December 2006 - 09:40 PM
#28
Posted 28 December 2006 - 09:48 PM
I kinda like NoFi or SoBa, but perhaps those are too trendy, out there to catch on?
What about Bay District, or BayTown? I kinda like Baytown, although I'm afraid if it became similar to the West End in Vancouver the name could be changed to a derogatory term.
Still I'll vote for Baytown.
#29
Posted 29 December 2006 - 08:00 AM
#30
Posted 29 December 2006 - 07:37 PM
#31
Posted 29 December 2006 - 08:24 PM
Downtown can have more than one neighbourhood that is why I am against Downtown north or any such name. It should be a name reflective of that area but you are there you can also say yeah I am downtown.
#32
Posted 29 December 2006 - 10:53 PM
#33
Posted 29 December 2006 - 11:15 PM
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
#34
Posted 29 December 2006 - 11:26 PM
I was driving home from "up there" (north of north) today, and coming up to Caledonia & Douglas (heading south), I thought again that it would really be a misnomer to call that area "north downtown." (Again, this is my 2-cents/ opinion...!) It's downtown, even if it's "to the north," but it's very different from the bits that come into view once you hit Fisgard & Douglas. Even the terrain/ lay of the land is different. It's a different animal, which is why I wouldn't want to call it by any name that suggests more of what's already there. I really think it should have a unique new identity, and that the "old" downtown is separate from it.
#35
Posted 29 December 2006 - 11:42 PM
So, back to The North Town, New Town, debate.... If we call it new town or North Town what will we call Rock Bay when it gets developed, Newer Town or More North Town? The city will keep expanding. The Mayor earlier this year said he wants to see places as far as Hillside go to twelve stories as well as areas like Bridge street. If these areas get redeveloped over the next twenty years The Hudson will be far from North Town. It will be more like Central Town! Just call it Downtown....It's crazy!!!
#36
Posted 29 December 2006 - 11:51 PM
It will be called the FRinge East of Douglas!
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#37
Posted 29 December 2006 - 11:55 PM
#38
Posted 30 December 2006 - 12:06 AM
I agree, Im not a fan of "Uptown" or any label imposed from above.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
#39
Posted 30 December 2006 - 12:07 AM
#40
Posted 30 December 2006 - 08:39 AM
Scaper this will still be Downtown but it will also have another name as well. Also if we let it be named by itself than there is the chance that uptown will stick and we can't have that.
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