The question of what to do with Ship Point has been asked so many times, maybe we should rename it Point Dither. Let鈥檚 hope the latest move results in action, and not just another blizzard of words about potential and possibilities.
The City of Victoria has issued a request for proposals for a master plan for the property along the waterfront below Wharf Street. Ideas set out in city documents include creating more green spaces, plazas and seating. Also included are thoughts of installing infrastructure for year-round use for special events, an amphitheatre, strengthening pedestrian links, adding small structures for cultural or retail use and access for boating and marina activities.
Ship Point has been the focus of consultants鈥� studies, public consultations, proposals, conversations and arguments for half a century. But there鈥檚 little disagreement on the basics: It鈥檚 a valuable piece of property with incredible potential, whatever development takes place should be in harmony with the rest of the Inner Harbour, and so forth.
As Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says: 鈥淭he best and highest use of harbour-front land is not a surface parking lot owned by the city. I think it is quite embarrassing that is the state of things down there 鈥� a large swatch of concrete in a beautiful site.鈥�
Progress in the past was hampered by fractured ownership, but in 2014, a land swap with the province resulted in the city becoming sole owner of the Ship Point property. And although Helps talks about the possibilities of partnering with the private sector, the city should retain ownership and control of this space. Its value goes far beyond what it could generate for the economy.
Ideas for the property over the years have been wide-ranging, so reaching a consensus will be a challenge, but it鈥檚 quite clear what the people don鈥檛 want 鈥� massive, view-blocking development. A developer鈥檚 plans for two towers on the site in the 1970s brought strong protest from citizens who did not want to see their waterfront turned into another Miami or Acapulco.
In her musings, Helps says she would like to see something emerge that would 鈥減ut us on the map nationally and even internationally.鈥� Careful there 鈥� wasn鈥檛 that part of the reasoning behind choosing a fancy design for the over-budget, behind-schedule Blue Bridge replacement? Serve local citizens first, and remember that quality does not have to mean expensive.
But we are solidly in agreement with the mayor when she says the aim is to 鈥渢ake all the work that has been done over the years and actually make something happen.鈥�
Haste is not called for, but purposeful progress would be welcome.
