Letter - Thumbs down to Duet?

South Park School was built in 1894. It is the oldest building in Western Canada that has continuously operated as a school. In 1974, the school became South Park Family School, an alternative school in the Greater Victoria School District, saved from closure by parents from a cooperative preschool who wanted to be involved closely in the education of their children. The school is a beautiful brick building with old world charm, style and grace.

In 1998, architects Wagg and Hambleton designed the No 2 Firehall at 560 Michigan Street. These perspicacious (and insightful) architects, created a thoughtful and beautiful, yet functional firehall, taking into account the age and grandeur of the elderly brick beauty next door. 

The plaque presented by Robert J. Cross says: "Proud of our Past, Preparing for our Future," ensuring Victoria remains a safe and desirable community."

Wagg and Hambleton, by keeping an eye on the sanctity and age of the surrounding neighbourhood, created a beautiful addition to James Bay, and chose fancy brickwork to detail the gorgeous west facing windows with style and grace!  In addition, No. 2 Firehall also presents with a bay window that displays yesteryears heritage polished and gilded fire truck... the whole effect in keeping with the stately presence of South Park School.

James Bay neighbours rebelled against towers like Orchard House and Robert's House, yet the present City Hall incumbents have not woken up to the mandate to keep our treasured James Bay heritage neighbourhood safe.  How could they approve yet another monstrosity?  It negates Wagg and Hambleton's time and attention to design and pleasing details.

Thumbs up to Wagg and Hambleton, Architects of clarity, respect, and forethought, versus thumbs down to those who continue to thoughtlessly ignore what has been held important to James Bay residents!  Build, higher, wider, and longer for money rather than soul...  and  with City Halls miserably unconscious approval...   According to May 9, 2014 Victoria News  all that is required is to hand over $10,000 and there are no consequences to whose sunlight you block! or how many boulevard trees you chop down, or whose clarity of purpose you trod upon! 

The Duet Tower has obliterated sunlight, eaten up a ¾ long block  of a 12 foot wide boulevard that was previously lined with mature trees, and overshadowed details of a once (not so long ago) beautiful creation... Fire Station No. 2.  Shameful.

Well, Mayor and council, is this just a taste of what James Bay residents can expect from the recent sale of the Victoria Accord parcel of land between Menzies and Government, Superior and Michigan?

Bonnie Hardy