BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is regarding a controversial tower proposal along Barrie's lakeshore.
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Further to recent media accounts of major development proposed by SmartCentres on Bradford Street, Lakeshore Drive and Checkley Street, firstly, why on earth do we need a hotel on this property?
Why is its location shown to be close to Lakeshore and 2 Toronto St.? Surely the city isn’t thinking of making a road access to and from Lakeshore. No no! It is a divided roadway and we do not need more traffic lights on Lakeshore. There is too much traffic there already even in winter season, never mind summer when we really get tourist and local citizens wanting to use the marina and beach area.
Hotels require a lot of maintenance; they always need supplies often delivered during “off hours." Come on, city staff. If a hotel is desired, it could be built along Bradford Street, or in one of the many lots still without development closer to Highway 400.
What suggestions have the developers made for shops to supply food to residents of their 40-plus storey towers? What school facilities are planned for children who may currently reside in the area; and if up to 4,000 new bodies come, most likely there will be youngsters, too.
What about newcomers who take up residence in these towers? It is possible they may want to use Kempenfelt Bay with boats. Where would they park? Where are the docks for extra boats? Beach space is at maximum and road parking and adjacent lots are full!
Royal Victoria hospital may be expanding, but can it handle the number of potential patients if city and council continue to support 40-storey developments all over the city?
Someone stated this would help the downtown-area stores and shops, but from this particular development's point of view, is there extra parking available? If all residents are healthy and fit, they could walk and carry their purchases? That does not make sense!
What about the traditional summer activities, such Kempenfest, etc.? COVID will be overcome and parts of the world will return to a more normal state, even Barrie. Centennial Beach becomes a 'sardine tin' in hot summer days, with bodies all over and cars parked on the boulevards. Haven’t any of you councillors ever been down to the lakefront?
I believe Lakeshore Drive was improved some years ago for the benefit and enjoyment of Barrie citizens, and probably paid for by those same people. Why is the ambiance of that area to be destroyed by some developer?
Yes, the lot in question should be developed, but not destroyed by the plans being proposed and current residents should still be able to see sunshine and have a view of the lake. SmartCentres should be sent packing, or demand they become more realistic and considerate of the established environment.
All that lakefront is reclaimed land and wildlife has to be protected. How will Bunkers Creek be affected?
The developer knew there was a height limit when they purchased this property.
Bradford Street is ready for an overhaul and has the potential to become a major throughway supporting much new and established business.
Some have said many people will be opposed to this outrageous development even after the developer has made such a wondrous offer to reduce the height of some of the towers. That offer is ridiculous and meaningless, just a “big developer" way of saying "I heard you, but I’m really getting what I originally wanted." Almost gives the people of Barrie the impression that the developer is really a thoughtful and considerate type.
There are many people in Barrie who are against such a monstrous building, but not necessarily against development of this land. Let us get a less insane proposal, one which enhances the area, not destroys it.
I have stated a degree of support for progress and suitable development for this particular area, but no hotel at Lakeshore. Move it to Bradford Street or elsewhere. Further reduction in height, maybe 20 storeys max, in keeping with our present condos, etc. Let us see and feel the sun, whether it is a hot summer or cool winter one.
I’ve been a supporter and citizen of Barrie since 1970, so I have seen a lot of changes — some good, some not so good — but this proposal on Lakeshore is totally ridiculous. Get a new bunch of planning engineers and councillors. Stop trying to turn the Barrie lakefront into a Miami Beach. We do not have the appropriate year-round weather for that.
Robert Blair
Barrie
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