POOT'S EMAIL TO TOM BRODBECK ON THE MATTER:
Hi Tom
I just wanted to take a moment to write you in regards to your
editorial on the Ryan Block building in The Exchange.
As a pre-amble, I read your editorials farely regularly. Sometimes I
find myself agreeing with you -- mostly on business development
matters. And sometimes I feel that you tend to oversimplify complex
social issues and contribute to the 'fearmongering' approach that your
paper's headlines perpetuate. Ultimately though, I do appreciate a
writer who is willing to speak their mind boldly, whether or not I
agree with them, and so I must give you kudos for that.
Now on to the matter at hand -- historical preservation, specifically
in regards to the Ryan Block.
I will agree completely that the city has a long history of impeding
growth and development for what has often been some very fickle
reasons. That said, both Murray and Katz' regimes at city hall have
been quite pro-development, and both mayors have worked to remove many
beaurocratic policy, and to some extent taxation, roadblocks to
development in this town.
The preservation of our historic buildings, though, has become a bit
of a no-brainer. They are one of the few natural resources left in
this city, and offer us the opportunity (if we are wise and
forward-thinking enough to carry it out) to build a visually
interesting, sidewalk-traffic improving, tourist-friendly and
neighbourhood-growing downtown. Parking lots do not a vibrant urban
neighbourhood make (the St.Mary/York strip of downtown being a prime
example), which is why the city was correct to impose demolition
restrictions on the 1 step forward/2 steps back plan for the St.
Charles Hotel last year.
The Ryan Block is a similar case-study. The Reiss family owners have
held that building for 20 years. They very consciously let the
building fall into complete disrepair, an act of demolition by
neglect, and have made several attempts do demolish in the past,
specifically for the development of a parkade. They have also spurned
purchase offers for the Ryan Block as there has been plenty of
interest in the building. To be blunt, they are commercial slum
landlords.
As the Exchange has taken off, the Ryan Block and the parking lot
between it and the Reiss building have become increasingly valuable.
They are indeed prime property for a forward-thinking, creative
addition to the urban fabric of the Exchange -- whether it be housing,
retail, office or otherwise. But the Reiss businessmen have no
interests in doing anything that will actually benefit or better the
Exchange District.
What the Exchange DOES NOT NEED in such a prominent location is a
parkade. And that is what the Reiss family via Bedford Investments
has had in mind for that location for years. I fully support new
developments, but I do not support developments that further hinder
the urban experience of this already fractured city. We are at a
turning point in our city's history where we must decide exactly what
kind of city we want to live in. Yes, parkade's have their place --
but that place is removed from the foot traffic and retail experience
that the Exchange is developing. Perhaps on the vacant lots along
Hargrave.
Now, if Bedford/Reiss propose a well-designed, urban-sensitive project
incorporating uses that IMPROVE the Exchange, then I will gladly give
them my full support. But they've had 20 years to do so, and instead
chosen neglect instead of investment. That does not move our city
forward and does not foster a relationship of respect with the
community, nor my trust.
The city's decision to require that the two street-facing facades be
preserved, at minimum, is both an unrequired olive branch and a sound
urban-planning decision while acknowledging that the complete rehab
costs for the building make it very difficult to redevelop. Facades
of similar buildings get preserved all the time in much more
forward-thinking and urban-sensitive cities such as San Francisco,
Boston, New York, Montreal and well, any European city. And the
Exchange is our ticket to be able to eventually build a neighbourhood
that can offer a similar vibe, therefore due diligence and every
effort must be made to ensure that the neighbourhood grows not just
for growth's sake alone -- but in a manner that capitalizes on and
enhances this city's ticket out of disrepair.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Keep well.
Michael D. Petkau
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The mayor's out killing kids to keep taxes down.
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