252 replies to this topic

[aastra]

Why should it be in suspended animation until Judgment Day when all the pieces fall into place to "redevelop the entire legislative precinct"?

If you work on it piece-by-piece then you run the risk of creating a diverse and colourful multi-use district that would seem as if it had arisen organically from the city that surrounds it. Once that happens, there's really no way to transform the area back into the overplanned "designed-by-committee" abomination that it should have been.

[yodsaker]

Fix the frickin' terminal! Leave the ledge for the province to look after, its no business of Fortin. I guess the strategy is to define fixing the terminal as large as possible thus ensuring nothing ever gets done. meetingsconsultationsstudiesproposalsmeetingsflipchartsgraphscoffeebreaksproposalsnoteswordsnamesnumberswordsnamesnumbersdateschartscoefficientsopportunitycostsmeetingsconsultations.....

[jklymak]

If you work on it piece-by-piece then you run the risk of creating a diverse and colourful multi-use district that would seem as if it had arisen organically from the city that surrounds it. Once that happens, there's really no way to transform the area back into the overplanned "designed-by-committee" abomination that it should have been.

Yes, I agree. Another Songhees is the only logical way to proceed.

[Rob Randall]

Fix the frickin' terminal! Leave the ledge for the province to look after, its no business of Fortin.

I believe the City must be involved because the success of redevelopment of the terminal benefits from a swap of City and Provincial land (Quadra Park, across the street).

There can be a "master plan" of sorts for the the underdeveloped land in the area but it should be limited to broad goals like population density, environmental sustainability etc.

This time around, the Coho needs to be at the table with an acknowlegement that the ship is located where it should be.

[amor de cosmos]

now this is a cool idea:

CPR building could live again as ferry terminal
Harbour Authority's vision starts with slate of shops and offices
By Carla Wilson, timescolonist.com October 28, 2011

The landmark CPR Steamship Terminal building would become a ferry terminal again under a grand plan rolled out Friday by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

http://www.timescolo...5706/story.html

[Holden West]

^I like that plan. It's logical and is the most honest use for the building which was built as a ferry terminal after all.

I really can't see how a McNeil's market idea would make enough money to cover expenses. You need to move a hell of a lot of carrots and fudge to turn a profit on some of BC's most expensive real estate, come on. What the hell are tourists going to do with vegetables? Take them back to their hotel and call room service for a wok and a hot plate? They can't take them across the border. Ah, but you're saying--it would be more than vegetables, there would be souvenirs, gifts and food kiosks. Oh, then just like the one at the Tswawassen ferry terminal except more expensive.

And don't get me started on Wright's lame-o Expo 86/BC Experience sloppy seconds.

[gumgum]

The terminal idea is probably the only one that will work.

[Sparky]

^ I like the Maritime Museum concept.

[Holden West]

^I think the Maritime Museum would be better suited elsewhere on the harbour eg: the foot of Fort St.--in a purpose-built structure. It should be glassy, welcoming and modern with a seamless transition to the waters of the harbour.

[aastra]

Maybe in this thing?



If the Maritime Museum vacates Bastion Square, I worry that nothing would ever replace it.

[tedward]

If the Maritime Museum vacates Bastion Square, I worry that nothing would ever replace it.

I think the old courthouse (current Maritime Museum) would be the perfect location for the Victoria Children's Museum. Bastion Square with the giant flowers sculpture would be a great destination for kids and families and the antique elevator and old court room is already a hit with kids.

[G-Man]

^ Exactly what I was thinking. Or could it be the long awaited downtown Art Gallery?

[gumgum]

The Art Gallery really should be a new modern space. That way, it's more likely to be open with high ceilings. Old Victorian buildings have very little wall space and the design just takes away from the art.

[Nparker]

The Art Gallery really should be a new modern space...

I tend to agree. Not that it will ever happen but I'd love to see a d/t art gallery location as part of a re-build of Centennial Square that includes a purpose-built central library as well. I suspect the wait for such dreams will be very long.

As for the Belleville Terminal, I hope the old wax museum gets incorporated into a new Coho/Clipper terminal design.

[VicHockeyFan]

So the Harbour Authority has been chosen as the preferred tenant for the CPR Terminal building.

[VicHockeyFan]

Pub/bar with patio, currency exchange, performance place all included in sub-leases. July 2012 opening.

[Mike K.]

Does this include the future possibility of using the CPR facility as a ferry terminal?

[VicHockeyFan]

Does this include the future possibility of using the CPR facility as a ferry terminal?

Yes, that's the main plan.

http://www.bcpcc.com/news.php

While re-purposing the CPR Steamship Terminal is a stand-alone proposal that is not
conditional on subsequent phases, the GVHA hopes to work towards a larger vision
in the future that would incorporate a common use ferry terminal along with civic use
facilities and amenities.

http://www.bcpcc.com...r_GVHA_plan.pdf

[Hotel Mike]

Brilliant! A right choice for Victoria. This will make a grand terminal entrance to and exit from Victoria, when they finally get a Belleville terminal together.

[amor de cosmos]

& pub/bar with patio, so matt mcneil can still get in there...