Blog reader sunnydan raises some good questions, topics for discussion
NanaimoCityHall blog reader sunnydan made these comments earlier today and they are re-posted here as they ask some good questions and raise topics other bloggers and readers will hopefully want to develop –
PORT PLACE MALL REDEVELOPMENT
After talking to members of the Architectural Review Panel I’ve learned that this project was before the panel three times. At each subsequent visit minor cosmetic changes where made without fully addressing the general dissatisfaction with the project. It is the architectural equivalent of a hack job. The fact that this magnificent site has been so badly treated for so long, has always been a mystery. The reasons why it continues to be so maligned still elude me. We don’t have to create such hideous constructions by our waterfront, but we continue to do so. Nanaimo’s beautiful harbour seems to be a dumping zone for crap architecture. Why is that?
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PUBLIC TRANSIT GROUND-UP REDESIGN
I would like to develop a ground up re-design of our public transit system. Such an effort is long overdue. The primary objective is to make the system more efficient. To this end I would greatly appreciate comments, insights, links, directions, suggestions, stories and personal experiences. And anything else, bus related that you can think of.
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FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE CITY
I’m going to be giving more thought to the problem of food production in this city. I am considering the possibility of multi-layered intensive aquaculture managed and sustained by the efforts of a cooperative. To this end I would greatly appreciate comments, insights, links, directions, suggestions, stories and personal experiences. Anything else, fish and food related might also help.
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Posts and Comments on Nanaimo Governance 
City Director of Planning, Andrew Tucker, informs me that the Design Advisory Panel have recommended approval of the first 2 of 3 Port Place Mall applications.Two Development Permit Applications: 1. Nicol Street two storey stand alone commercial building with access from Esplanade and Nicol Streets and 2. demolition of the western portion of the mall to create a private road connection through the mall property to the Gabriola Ferry and the creation of a “High Street” with a two storey commercial building along the northern edge of the street.
The 3rd application is a Rezoning Application to “facilitate the longer term redevelopment of the site.”
If I understand correctly neither the Development Permit application or the Rezoning Application have been to Council for consideration.
I don’t know of another example of a private road on this scale. Not in the city centre anyway. What are the consequences? What’s general public policy re private roads? Seems to raise all kinds of questions, doesn’t it?
A review and re-design of the bus system serving Nanaimo is a great idea and long overdue.I guess the question arises,what,if anything,are those individuals operating the system doing in this regard?I wonder if they would be of assistance to you by providing available information on the current status?
What surprises me,actually shocks me,is how often one sees a full-size bus driving around basically empty of passengers.
Another comment I would make is that we can’t possibly afford to have a system that provides regular service to every area in the city and users may be required in the future to walk further distance to and from stops.The City of Nanaimo has a Transportation Advisory Committee and you may want to get copies of their minutes.I don’t think they meet too often.I’m not sure who the Chairman of this Committee is today,but the individual holding this position in the recent past is not known for his intellect and/or ability to innovate.