Dear Editor: I think the Pier West waterfront development by Bosa is very exciting. I love the idea of two extraordinary towers, but I fear that a golden tourist opportunity is being overlooked.
Can you even begin to imagine what a publicly accessible 53rd-floor view room could mean for the city? It would be a major tourist attraction. It would be a shame if New Westminster failed to make these towers – at least one of them – something residents and tourists alike could actually be a part of and not just look at from afar.
The last thing anyone needs is yet another monument to wealth. Something people could only look at – but not touch. And a nominal fee of perhaps $2 could be charged that could benefit local charities. You could have a ‘public use only’ elevator between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. It would be very easy to program the elevator to open only on the view room level. And staffing wouldn’t be a problem. You could hire two security guards. One for the lobby and one for the view room. And have volunteers from charities that would like to benefit financially help out.
I encourage the mayor, City of New Westminster and Bosa to work through any possible stumbling blocks to make this happen. It’s not too late.
Craig Barton, email
