Discussions about redeveloping Ladner's waterfront almost seem surreal.
What could be a quaint town's crowning jewel has long been something far less than that, so it's almost inconceivable that could all begin to change. Near the outset of this latest effort to revitalize the waterfront, I remember Coun. Heather King making a comment about oldtimers rolling their eyes in a seeing-isbelieving kind of way when the issue was being broached yet again.
They had heard all sorts of talk over the years about what could become of the Chisholm Street corridor but hadn't seen any action from municipal hall to back it up. With the recent request put out to developers interested in two civic-owned properties, it appears we might finally see some of that long-awaited activity.
Who knows what might shake out as Delta wades further into the process, but I suspect there will need to be some sort of balancing act between what the public envisions and what's financially viable for a developer.
I'm sure building heights, parking and other issues will be raised as redevelopment efforts move forward for these prime parcels of real estate, but hopefully they can all be ironed out to everyone's satisfaction.
Right now, however, I'm still having a hard time believing something will actually happen down on the water.
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It sounds like Premier Christy Clark got a lesson in how open government is supposed to work in the wake of her recent visit to South Delta.
The new Liberal leader deserves marks for getting out to various constituencies and hearing what the people of B.C. have to say, however, if she's going to handpick those she talks to it might be an idea not to label these sessions as her efforts to open up government.
Barring the public and media from a meeting doesn't qualify as open government, particularly not in the I'd-behappy-to-give-you-my-opinion community of South Delta.
It sounds like the gathering in Ladner had representatives from a variety of community interests, which is good, but, as several letters to the editor have suggested, closing the doors on the rest of us is hardly the democratic thing to do.
I'm sure there are logistical problems to the premier holding a true town hall meeting anywhere she goes, not the least of which would be the potential hijacking by outside interests, but Clark has to do better if she wants South Deltans to believe her government is truly open to all of us.
