he letter written by Kate Enwold in the October 30, 2013 edition of the Nelson Star regarding the Nelson Commons.
I too, am disappointed that this project got approval given that the appearance is not consistent with the heritage theme this city used to value and that has been used to bring tourists to the area.
I was not aware, and probably naively assumed, given this project is the co-op’s, that local designers and tradespeople would build it.
I would like to know if there will be any affordable units in this building?
I emailed John Dooley expressing my concern and opposition and asked if there would be public process before approval to build would be given.
Dooley said there would be but I did not ever notice (and I may simply have missed it) any meetings for public/member input.
I believe this project, the abominable John’s Walk and the destructive building in Rosemont is reflective of the mayor and council’s values and Nelson’s changing values from being a small town to embracing economics above all else.
There has been an influx of people who do not come to Nelson to enjoy what is here but try to exploit what is here for their own economic gain.
There are consequences to this including more pollution and less access to services.
More population may add some tax dollars to the provincial coffers but it does not guarantee it will be spent here.
More population may increase the mayor and council wages but it will not necessarily improve the lives of Nelsonites and likely will negatively impact our environment — we are in a bowl here, where do we think air pollutants will go?
Sadly, driven by greed and the notion of the economy as god, I predict that when the transfer station is gone from the waterfront there will some day be condos and possibly high-rises that also replace the mall along the waterfront as I am sure there are many who are salivating at the prime waterfront that they can and will exploit if given the opportunity.
Those who love Nelson and the area for what it is need to stop being complacent as there are those who have eyes on this area not to for what it is but for how it can be developed to line the pockets of the already wealthy with little concern for the environment or way of life.
You know, pretty much the same ideas that have made Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops the places they are today!
Dwyn Robertse