I seem to be a bit late to the table, but I would like my objection to this Q2Q bridge monstrosity recorded. (Much good will it do me. I have the feeling that minds are already made up.)
I have seen the renderings of this horror and am appalled at the willingness of the city to embrace ugliness and vulgarity. (The electronic billboards are a good example. Also the lighting on the Wait for Me Daddy bronze statue.)
Don’t ruin the view of the river – one of the best features the city enjoys. We live along the Queensborough side of the Fraser and take great pleasure in looking across it to enjoy the picturesque view. We’re not alone in that. This monstrosity is going to stand 30 feet in the air, totally destroying the Quay area’s classic waterfront charm with its modernity. (Not to mention the jarring sight of its elevator in the middle of a pleasant and peaceful riverside path, nor the intrusion of its bulk into homes on either shore.)
The point has been made that this thing is going to link the two parts of New Westminster. How? The shops and restaurants at the Quay, plus the “easy” access to the SkyTrain, are at least a mile away, even for us who are right at the proposed Queensborough terminal.
We already have convenient access to the SkyTrain and downtown. It’s called TransLink. (It would be a stretch for most people to walk to the Quay, let alone carrying any purchases back.)
You are a new council with a fistful of new casino money. Use it wisely. Up until now you have been unable to afford proper maintenance and improvement on existing projects – especially if you are considering raising taxes to do them. Rather than adding something new (and inappropriate) to the list of things to maintain, consider improving on the beautification program you’ve already started.
Plant trees. Restore the urban forest, the loss of which you’re mourning. Here’s the money you’ve been lacking. You may even be able to forego the tax increase!
If you want to make the residents of Queensborough feel a part of the main city, then make our area a special part. Try:
1. cleaning up the riverside path by removing the 20 or so inches of rock edging, taking out the unwanted grass and weeds that are growing through it and replacing the rocks so it looks like someone cared for it;
2. replacing the blacktop sidewalk along Ewen Street with a proper sidewalk. If concrete doesn’t work, then use brick. Take the extra step. Think “first class.” Plant the new boulevard there with trees along with the shrubs already in place. This extra money is a golden opportunity to do something everyone can enjoy – not just the very few that can easily access, or want to use, this new bridge affair;
3. replacing the trees and shrubs destoryed in the drought last summer, or diseased by insects;
4. repairing the small bridge between the entrance road and the Queensborough Community Centre. It’s been unsafe and barricaded for over a year.
These suggestions represent only the deficiencies that I see every day. I’m sure there are many other ways to improve our area that require only money and imagination (appropriate imagination).
Extra funds come rarely. Please don’t waste them on what will be an unused (when the novelty wears off) and minimally maintained eyesore. If the investment has to be a new one, then at least make it attractive.
This Q to Q bridge will be sitting there forever. Don’t let it be a lasting testament to this city administration’s bad judgment and bad taste.
Anne O’Shaughnessy is a Queensborough resident.
