It appears the City has launched a campaign to mitigate some of the public relations damage that has resulted from Council's decision to approve demolition or "de-contruction" of three historic landmarks at the foot of Lonsdale. Today the City posted a: Clarification Regarding Waterfront Heritage notice on its website (www.cnv.org).
According to the text of the posting "While not all of the buildings could be preserved as part of the National Maritime Centre (NMC) concept, the City remains committed to the retention of a significant shipyard heritage precinct."
The notice goes on to list some of the historic items that will be preserved:
Heritage Artifacts
The City has approved Design Guidelines for future site construction and retained significant heritage artifacts to augment the heritage character of the former shipyard site as it is developed. A complete list of retained heritage artifacts can be found below:
- Retention of the Coppersmith Shop
- Retention of the Pipe Shop
- Reconstruction of an accessory Support Building
- Dismantling of the Machine Shop for subsequent reassembly on-site
- Restoration of the Burrard Dry Dock Pier
- Restoration of the Electrical Building on Burrard Dry Dock Pier
- Restoration of the St. Roch Dock
- Installation of the Stern of the Flamborough Head (Victory Ship) as an historic icon for the site
- Retention of the Flamborough Head Triple expansion engine
- Retention of two large Burrard Dry Dock Colby Cranes
- Inclusion of numerous smaller artifacts as part of the landscape theme
- Inclusion of shipyard themed public art in the Pier development landscape theme
- The National Maritime Centre proposal would tell our local shipbuilding story as part of the exhibits
- Return the St. Roch (National Historic Ship) to the shipyard site where it was built as an integral part of the NMC exhibits
- Direction in the NMC plans to create and promote a shipyard historic precinct through building design, site artifacts, landscape design and site programming
- Retention of various building artifacts such as boom cranes from building 14C on Parcel 10
17 opinions/comments:
The Blacksmith's Shop that was the most significant of the three buildings to be demolished was quoted in a staff report at a cost of 250,000 to dismantle. After the public hearing the cost was suddenly in the "millions" ... so destruction was ordered. Not acceptable. Roll on November!
Former CNV Mayor Barbara Sharp has sent up a trial balloon for a possible attempt to regain the Mayor's title by weighing in on the waterfront controversy. In today's Outlook, she is quoted as "appalled" at the "complete lack of leadership and vision" shown by Mayor Darrell Mussatto and council for its contemplation of a 433 ft. tower on Site 8 and its decision to demolish three heritage buildings. She describes the current pace and scale of development as "overwhelming."
"It's too much, too quickly, where people can't absorb it."
While I'm not big fan of Mussatto and his crew, you can bet that Mussatto versus Sharp would be something akin to Barrick Obama versus Dennis Kusinich.
Mussatto has actually been the best mayor the city has seen in years.
Anonymous 2:02, you may be surprised at the growing anger toward Mussatto. In a two-way race with no CUPE contracts at stake, Sharp may be able to position herself as a more moderate advocate for change. Unlike, the last time, Mussatto will have to run on his record, not just his looks.
Retaining history is always emotional. Particularly so if that history is your waterfront. It's romantic to want to keep it as is, but how much use is the public getting out of that space right now? None at all, nor will we unless something's done to the buildings.
But that costs money - money that's better earmarked to more noble causes.
However, careful and planned development of the area can be a good compromise. It can pay for the restoration of structures and preserve the romance of the area while revitalizing it and opening it for all to use - allowing the public to places they've always seen, but never been allowed into.
So while it's kinda sad we can't save them all, if the loss of several structures is an actual investment in the future and allows more public interaction with the site, and if the site retains it's aura - that's a good compromise.
Ohhh! give me a break....Mussatto and Sharp voted time and time again to not uphold the OCP when I was on council. Sharp calling Mussatto on this matter is complete garbage...they both have been to the developer's trough and drank the same promises of "I will give you something that you need and you allow me extra hieght and density..." Ahhhhh! When it comes to developers...Sharp and Mussatto are two peas in a pod.
Petty politicians! The lot of them.
and now Tower damage control!
http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=2&i=238
What the last comment tried to probably say is that the Site 8 developer has announced they will amend their application, just after the Mayor made a public statement that he would not support a 338 foot violation of the Official Community Plan.
It is, of course, part of their original plan.
They will presents options now, in other words, Site 7.999 or Site 7.998.
How many feet over the 75 foot OCP restriction will they propose next?
The OCP is the will of the people!
So, just who is Anon. 4:47..."when I was on council"....
Watson...Watson....might that be Mr. Clark knocking....?
Don't see an anon 4:47, huh?
What exactly is Mussatto's record?
Sue Cook
Implementing the Sharp plan.
If Sharp is seriously thinking about challenging Mussatto in November, she will have to mend some fences. She will have to convince voters that under her leadership, the City of North Vancouver will grow in a rational and thoughtful manner, with density appearing in areas predicted by the OCP, so that the Official Community Plan will offer residents and developers, some measure of certainty as to how and where development will occur in the years to come. She will have to eat a little humble pie to convince voters that she understands why so many of them voted for other candidates.
And lest Mussatto should think that Sharp cannot make a comeback, or some other challenger emerge, I remind him that 60% of voters did not vote for him--and that was before he really started to piss people off.
All I have to say is bring in the bulldozers
The heck with Mussatto and Sharp.
Bring it on Sue Cook!
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