^ That's a funny post Homeinmyshoes. When I think of picnicing I visualize it on top of Signal Hill, and the phrase "Gone With The Wind" comes to mind.
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Here's an article regarding the Hotel proposal at Temperance Street. I noticed in the article and comments to the article that the most common issue is with the design. People think it could be better, and I'm inclined to agree; the design is a bit too
generic (plain, ordinary, and which could be found anywhere). Aside from that, I think the overall quality of the building would be quite good based upon the reputation of the developer. If you look at their development on Bonaventure Avenue, the details and workmanship appear to be of quite good quality, among the best in the city, even though the design and building form itself is boring.
Link:
http://www.nolanhall.com/placebonaventure.asp
The other issue is with traffic, especially with a five way intersection nearby at the top of the hill. I don't think that traffic would be a major issue, however, on Water Street itself where the entrance is going to be located. Maybe a light or set of lights needs to be installed at the intersection of Battery/Signal Hill/Empire/Temperance/Duckworth because that is a very tricky area to navigate.
Quote:
Planned hotel ugly, bad for traffic, Battery-area residents say
Last Updated: Thursday, May 14, 2009 | 9:29 AM NT Comments30Recommend23CBC News
A 123-room hotel planned for a spot near St. John's Harbour is hard on the eyes and will be worse on traffic, frustrated residents of the Battery neighbourhood told a public forum Wednesday night.
Nolan Hall Real Estate wants to build a hotel complex, which would include a mix of condominiums, on the former Power's Salvage site on Temperance Street, at the foot of the Battery, an old neighbourhood at the base of Signal Hill.
Writer Bernice Morgan said the planned design looks like a factory, and the type of building other cities are tearing down. She said she doesn't like that the hotel, if built, will destroy another important city view.
"I have a small window that looks out on the harbour, and I'm frightened to death," said Morgan, who jokingly added, "I'm planning on protecting it with a gun."
Battery resident Alison Dyer said putting up a hotel with that many rooms will cause even greater traffic problems in an area that can already be difficult, including the tricky, five-way intersection at the base of Signal Hill Road.
"Because I'm not putting my kids at risk, and that's what I feel like it is here now," Dyer told the meeting, which will help advise council on its decision.
On the sloping hills of downtown St. John's, views of Signal Hill, the harbour and other city landmarks have become prized, and the city maintains strict development rules on height and other factors.
In recent months, citizen concerns about another hotel planned just a few few blocks away, on Water Street, prompted council to turn down the development, at least as proposed.
Bill Kelly told the meeting that trust is an issue for him, as Nolan Hall broke the city's development rules with a series of townhouse built years ago next to the Benevolent Irish Society. The structures exceeded the height limit for views from Military Road.
"All you have to do is look at that development across from the [Roman Catholic] Basilica. When it wound up, it wasn't where it should have been. It was way above it," Kelly said.
John Walsh, who has lived in the Battery for more than 70 years, thinks the area is losing its identity.
"I was down in the east end before there was any hotel, only one.… Now they're building hotels all around me," he said.
John Goodman believes the development will destroy a special part of St. John's, and urged council to protect it.
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could make decisions … about our city that took into account romance instead of just finance," Goodman said.
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Source Article, (with illustration & comments worth reading):
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundlan...eting-514.html
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