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LETTER: North Shore B-Line proposal affects neighbourhood identity

Dear Editor: In a market that is experiencing population stagnation , it seems foolhardy to contemplate such drastic measures to accommodate the B-Line. Retail is the glue to tie together all the separate parts of a community.
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Dear Editor:

In a market that is experiencing population stagnation , it seems foolhardy to contemplate such drastic measures to accommodate the  B-Line. Retail is the glue to tie together all the separate parts of a community.

In so doing it creates harmony as a natural, social gathering meeting place .

In fact, a little gridlock can be seen to be good thing – it demonstrates busyness, vibrancy. People are drawn to busy, active places.

Such a fabric has to be considered with the greatest caution.

I have lived in West Vancouver for 42 years and have witnessed it mature into its three distinct neighbourhoods of Park Royal, Ambleside and Dundarave.

What is common is how they have carved out their own identity – each with their own personality, sense of place and vibrancy .

What you are proposing with the B-Line accommodation is depriving particularly Ambleside and Dundarave of their ingredients for success. Most of their patrons are local.

Parking is a key issue. Many drivers are elderly so adequate parking that is easy to use becomes paramount. To take away vital parking is to threaten the livelihood of the retailers – the backbone of such villages.

Twenty-five years ago Robson Street had a similar issue. The City of Vancouver was concerned because the buses weren’t running on time; they wanted to close off the street for parking. It’s analogous in medicine to treating the disease and killing the patient.

Similarly you run the same risk of killing Ambleside and Dundarave. In the name of being efficient, you are creating a racetrack and cutting off its veins.

Fortunately, the City of Vancouver quickly backed off when they saw the bigger picture – today Robson is more prosperous than ever.

Wouldn’t you wish the same for Ambleside and Dundarave?

Ian F. Thomas
West Vancouver

 

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