City Planning - James Bay Planning

City planning is much talked about these days, and that is importantbecause Year 2050 is not so very far ahead of us.So much for the city, but how about James Bay?When I ponder about what makes our community so important, I look at theOgden Point breakwater, the cruise ships, Beacon Hill Park, Toronto Street,Irving Park and Five Corners, and I wonder: which of these could beimproved? I have many ideas; and so could others.I don't suppose City Hall cares much about my imaginations, but mayor andcouncil might give some thought to the payoff to Tourism Victoria. Havingmore items to laud in its literature about our fair city would be a plus indestination competition in Western Canada.Costs have to be factored, of course, but added value is alwaysprofitable.

Just one example: Five Corners could be transformed into a plaza (giving James Bay a true heart), where, in preparedness for a crippling earthquake,we could organize relief activities and under which we could stockpile vitalsupplies. More agreeably, a beautiful, and peaceful oasis.There would be no capital cost waste--a plaza would be a beautifulmeeting-place in what, by Year 2050, is destined to be a concrete jungle.The costs of such a project by then would be prohibitive.

Redner Jones