The Definition of Dirt Ugly
I hope that anyone reading this post never has to do what I did today, that is pick up a parcel at the bus depot at Comox Road and Terminal Ave.If there is a more disgusting public facility in Nanaimo,or Vancouver Island for that matter, I would like to know about it. (Actually I don’t want to know). The outside entranceway has a concrete slab covered in filth and very badly in need of steam cleaning.There are panels of glass that appear never to have been cleaned.There is graffiti on the walls and a public pay phone has been ripped from its location.The lighting consists of several exposed florescent bulbs covered in grime and filth. The exterior scene is bad- really,really bad.
And the interior is even worse.The first thing that is overwhelmingly noticeable is the smell, which permeates the inside of the depot.It is truly disgusting.The floor is almost as dirty as outside.But the walls,so help me, are so dirty they appear to have never been painted.If they ever were painted it must have been 50 years ago.This scene is truly the definition of dirt ugly.How the individuals who work therein are able to stand it simply astounds me.
I understand that the property, land and building, is leased by the bus operators from the owners of the adjacent hotel.Why the lessee does not have the property renovated and otherwise maintained to an acceptable level for human occupancy is truly beyond belief.
That brings me to the City of Nanaimo.Now I do not suggest that the City can be blamed for this mess,but surely someone from that office must be aware of the unacceptable conditions at the depot.This being the case,why do they not take some initiative with the propery owners and/or occupants to fix it? After all,well over $100 Million taxpayer funds have been spent to attract out-of-town visitors-can you imagine the impression of Nanaimo that will be left with any of these individuals who decide to arrive in the city by bus.
Wayne Schulstad
Posts and Comments on Nanaimo Governance 
It really is a disgrace isn’t it? Imagine the impression made on folks seeing Nanaimo for the first time at that bus depot. And it leads to so many important issues — the redevelopment of the site: the City was unable to work with the owner on an earlier proposal for the conference centre; integrated inter-city bus and rail transit: a transit hub including local and inter-city transit is probably best located as part of the Port Place Mall / assembly wharf lands development but only as part of a comprehensive plan.
Yes it is disgusting and the blame should be put on the Bus company that leases the space from the Hotel. It is not public space but space leased by a private company to another private company.
The hotel stopped maintaining the outside appearance quite a few years ago and the bus depot does not have the staff required to keep it up. Someone will eventually have to do the work but only if the complaints end up in the right place. Perhaps that place is Greyhound. Maybe a complaint to the City in regards to unsightly premises might be in order by a taxpayer.
The rooms at the Howard Johnson were last updated a long long time ago, although lately there has been some work done on the old Grizzly B’ar which is becoming (if rumours are true) a church.
A formal complaint on the condition of the facility has been made to the City.
W. Manners has referred to rumours that a “church” may be setting up in the Howard Johnson’s Grizzly Bar. Has anyone else ever wondered why there are so many so-called “churches” in this “small town” City on the City of Nanaimo’s list of Permissive Tax Exemptions?
It appears that anyone can go into the “church” business here and apply to have Nanaimo’s taxpayers pay the property taxes on the space that they lease from the owner of the property. IMHO, probably one of the biggest scams going.
I understand that applications for Permissive Tax Exemptions are reviewed by a Committee of Counci. Wonder if any have ever been turned down? The Committee’s recommendations go to Council and this is just another item that is usually approved by Council without discussion.
Councillors can use their discretion on this. However, it seems to me that too many on Council, (with the exception of one Councillor), when making decisions,must have their “popularity” foremost in mind! Politicians who have the guts to ask the type of questions that need to be asked in order to even begin to effect change, are the ones who get my vote.
I raised the matter of Permissive Tax Exemptions here, as it appears that many are concerned with ever-increasing taxes and how their elected officials spend their money!
Janet,
Just curious, what ‘business’ these church businesses are conducting? They only seem to be open a few hours a week, and last time I checked they don’t seem to be selling anything.
a definition of dirt ugly is when people park all over their so called grass front yard like it is a parking lot!