A commentary by a Victoria resident.
I get more confused about the Bayview project in Vic West.
I have been working with developers for many years, including David Butterfield and the City of Victoria with Coast Harbourside and Shoal Point, just to name a couple. Fast, easy, and everyone won.
In 2002, Len Barrie asked for help to build Bear Mountain, so we got together with Langford Mayor Stew Young and look what we have up there today: Two Jack Nicklaus golf courses and a world-class housing development.
In the late 1990s, when not many people wanted to live in Vic West, Patricia and Ken Mariash bought a 20-acre site there. It seemed that the city had lucked out.
I started working for the Mariashes in 2005. After seeing all the amazing developments they had done all over the world, and the major projects underway in Calgary and Edmonton, I was excited about what they could do here.
But Victoria is different, for reasons I don’t understand. It’s been a challenge for the Mariashes every step of the way — not at all like Young’s attitude in Langford, “what can I do to help you make this happen?”
After 25 years, most of the land remains undeveloped. The buildings that did go up have the highest assessed value condos in Victoria — on the wrong side of the bridge.
The Mariashes have been major donors to the community. Over the years, they have saved Symphony Splash with a large cash investment. They saved Canada Day, and more recently gave a six-figure donation to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. There are many more I could list.
With many major events, the Mariashes have been, by far, the biggest sponsor.
They have done all this and live here year-round, too. Why has the city never asked them, “what can we do to help you get your project done”?
The city needs nine more buildings and a shopping area. Bayview can provide that.
Imagine what that would do for the city in terms of taxes, never mind having a Granville Island (but better) draw in Victoria. Instead it is a constant battle to move forward.
We worked through 2022 and 2023 trying to get our current proposal through the planning department, and to city council and a public hearing.
It finally happened in January and was passed by council 7-2.
The proposal calls for 1,870 residential units, including 215 units deemed affordable, 70,000 square feet of commercial space and the remediation and renovation of existing heritage buildings.
But here we are, six months later, but still no fourth reading and no master development agreement — so no one can start building.
We need housing. We have almost a totally new council.
Why isn’t someone leading the charge to get this done? I simply don’t understand. But I am about to turn 88 so I guess I never will.
Make something happen for the Mariashes and the City of Victoria. You will never get better partners.
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