155 replies to this topic

[qv]

Here's an article about the railing decision from last year:

https://www.timescol...wall-1.23910436

[qv]

From the article:

"A staff report concluded that it would be 2.5 times more expensive to retain and refurbish the old railing than it would be to install a modern steel and wire-cable design at a cost of about $1 million."

They also think the new design improves accessibility by leaving more sidewalk space.

[Hotel Mike]

I think the City managed to get about a foot of extra space from the new railing system.

[mbjj]

I will really miss the old railing. When well-maintained, it was quite elegant. We took a walk on Sunday to see the new one.If a replacement was needed, surely they could have come up with something with some beauty, perhaps incorporated sea creatures in some design. I also feel, although I'm not generally bothered by heights, that I wouldn't wish to walk to close to this new railing to admire the view. It seems very insubstantial and I think the lack of security would make me feel dizzy.

 

A fellow who phoned Adam Stirling yesterday said he'd asked the city workers what their feelings were about the new one and they said "we're not allowed to say". I had heard last year that some said there really wasn't a need for a replacement. Can City Council muzzle every worker for ever?

Edited by mbjj, 15 July 2020 - 05:52 PM.

[Nparker]

...Can City Council muzzle every worker for ever?

If not forever, at least through October 2022.

[Mike K.]

Remember the brouhaha over the Fairfield wall on Vancouver at Burdett?

When it’s someone else’s time and money the heritage preservationists will rally. When it’s the city replacing an iconic part of Victoria’s waterfront with a bland railing you’ll see just about everywhere in the world, it’s approved and celebrated.

[aastra]

Good call about walls (and railings and fences). Sometimes these walls are obviously special and sometimes they're obviously not special. But unfortunately there seems to be no rhyme or reason for making the determination. We've exposed such inconsistent attitudes many times re: buildings and architectural elements and trees and other things, so we might as well mention walls and railings, too.

[aastra]

Is there really anybody left who still thinks Victoria is all about commitment to preservation, hardcore resistance to change, keeping things frozen in time, etc.? It's the biggest crock of crap ever. It's been a crock of crap for the past 60 years at least.

[Nparker]

I still think Victoria demonstrates hardcore resistance to change and keeping things frozen in time; it's just very flexible as to what those things are.

[aastra]

The acid test is always the same: if Victorians are all about preservation and resistance to change but they're constantly ripping stuff out like crazy, then what would be happening if Victorians didn't give a damn about preservation? They would be ripping stuff out like crazy.

 

If Victorians are all about green space and nature but they trash and disrespect their city parks like crazy, then what would be happening if Victorians didn't give a damn about green space? They would be trashing their city parks like crazy.

 

If Victorians are all about heritage restoration but they battle heritage restoration like crazy, then what would be happening if Victorians didn't give a damn about heritage restoration? They would be battling heritage restoration like crazy.

 

It should be a huge red flag when we claim we're pinned to one end of the spectrum (the holy and noble end) but everything that we do would be just as applicable to the other end of the spectrum (the chaotic evil end).

 

Why do we cheer for war? Because we're humanitarians. Same BS.

[m3m]

Somebody on reddit posted a good picture of the new barrier:

 

[Hotel Mike]

Pretty much the definition of "utilitarian". 

[Spy Black]

Well, it certainly opens up the view lines out into the Straight, but is hardly anything of architectural value that would inspire folks 75 years from now as much as the now gone "blue" wall inspired people these past few months.

 

Despite the mistaken belief that logs and debris constantly banged up against the old seawall in storms (it didn't), and thus will destroy this wall in the first big storm ... the reality is that most of us will be long dead by the time this "seawall" gets torn down by some futuristic COV Council who feels they can do it better than those who came before them.

 

Meanwhile, this seawall will become the reality our kids grow up with, as much as the blue seawall was the reality that we all grew up with.

[lanforod]

As long as it doesn't rust and corrode, I think it's fine.

[DavidC]

Utilitarian it may be, but at least it's (mostly) see through.

[mbjj]

How bland it is.

[Danma]

I think it works well as a continuation of the railings on the breakwater. They're fine. I like the unobstructed view. I don't go to Dallas road to look at railings.

[Rob Randall]

 I don't go to Dallas road to look at railings.

 

Well then, get off this forum.

[Danma]

Well then, get off this forum.

It's about time someone spoke up against Big Railing

[aastra]

I never thought I'd see such railing accusations on this board.