[St. John's] The Official Project Thread

[statbass]

I just wrote in my support for the Marriott extension.

[Copes]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

I'm game as well. Who should I email to voice support for the Marriott?

I emailed Frank Galgar, who is the councillor for Ward 2 (ward in which the proposal is located). Would also be worthwhile to email Tom Hann (councilor at large, in charge of Planning and Housing committee). In all honesty though, they're all going to have to vote.

My email:

Hi Frank,

I wanted to email you in order to provide my support for the revised expansion proposal for the Marriott Hotel. Quite frankly, it is past-time that the voices of the vocal minority stop slowing down the development of the St. John's downtown. The Marriott Hotel expansion is not over the top. The architects seem to have considered the heritage district in their design. Further, the added parking is much needed. Lastly, what is currently on the site (a surface parking lot) is an eyesore, and cheapens that part of Duckworth Street.

St. John's is our capital city, and a major city in the Atlantic Provinces. Those living in the downtown of a major city need to realize that buildings will not forever remain at 15 meters. Those who come out opposed to projects like this tend to be a very vocal minority, and have for years slowed the development of St. John's. Our city is growing, and there are two very clear options for a growing city: to grow up, or to grow out. As it stands, sprawl is a major issue here in St. John's. As the city's footprint grows, more roads are needed. More cars are on those roads, and so more parking (which tends to be ugly, surface parking) is needed. Those without cars are forced to take public transport, because walking anywhere becomes a problem. These are all costs the city must incur. While I'm not suggesting that the Marriott Hotel expansion is going to solve these problems, standing up to those who are scared of an extra 4 meters is certainly a start.

Workers at the Battery Hotel just received their layoff notices. Over 100 hotel rooms in the downtown will be closed in 2013. This proposal is needed, and cannot be held up by folks living in a thriving downtown and clinging to the past. St. John's heritage is important. Our city has been built beautifully, and we should preserve that. That being said, the current surface parking lot on the proposed site is not beautiful. Gower Street certainly is, but an extra two stories on a fantastic development in an area that needs it certainly won't effect Gower Street's beauty. All it might do is effect the view of someone who lives there. Living in a thriving downtown comes with a cost. Your view is not guaranteed for eternity.

Lets not scare a hotel developer away to Kenmount Road or out by the Airport. St. John's doesn't need the council to force anymore sprawl.

Please make the smart choice when voting on this proposal.

[Arrakis]

the NIMBY's are at it again.
Even without the two extra floors, the hotel would probably still block their view.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...nl-residents-oppose-hotel-plan-1107.html

[SignalHillHiker]

Sent mine as well:

Good morning, Councillor Galgay,

My name is [SignalHillHiker] and I wanted to write in support of the Marriott Hotel Expansion. I see there is some opposition to the project but I can no longer in good conscience sit back and let a vocal minority throw up such frustratingly irrelevant and illegitimate roadblocks every time a new development is proposed for our beautiful city.

This project is beautiful; it respects our heritage in size, scale and appearance; and it even revitalizes an otherwise hideous and run-down area. Opposition to this project is unjustifiable. This is one of our downtown streets. No one should have the expectation that it be the exclusive domain of Victorian houses.

As long as the project fits with our traditional style and old world charm, I have no problem with it. It's not as though Marriott is proposing a new Atlantic Place. This project develops otherwise wasted space and it perfectly fits the surrounding area.

Thank you for your time and I hope you have a wonderful day,

- [SignalHillHiker]

[SignalHillHiker]

...

[Copes]

And just like that, five voices supporting the project. Took under two hours. There were only six or seven people there last night according to the news. So we almost matched them.

Democracy in action.

[statbass]

Here's my email:

Good morning councilor Galgay,

I am writing you in support of the Marriott extension proposal, unfortunately I was unable to make the public meeting last night. I feel the design of the extension fits in line with heritage look of the area and the proponent has done an excellent job preserving this look. In addition, I've become aware through many source (e.g. media, council minutes, word of mouth) that hotel space is greatly needed, especially in the downtown. With the future extension of the convention centre and the ability to hold larger conventions, meetings, etc. demand will likely increase. This is a great infill project and will help promote the city through additional employment, increased revenue, and the ability to accommodate more tourists and business. I understand this is not an easy process and must be taken with much consideration and thought; however, I feel it's important to write to you my support.

[SignalHillHiker]

I received a thank you email from Councillor Galgay, the only one I contacted directly, AND one from Councillor O'Leary so it appears our support is making the rounds. Excellent news!

[jeddy1989]

He Emailed me back to thank me for my comments

Teamwork!

Just got one from O'Leary also!!

I only Emailed Galgay

[SignalHillHiker]

I love this city.

I can't wait for the municipal plan to be unveiled.

I still have my fingers crossed that it will spell out something to the effect of... 351 Water Street and west, no height restrictions, modern towers accepted; east of 351 Water Street, you better put some damn clapboard on whatever you're proposing; stricter heritage protections, no grandfathering in (i.e., if TD Place ever came down, it'd have to be a heritage-appropriate building that took its place), etc.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

I received a thank you email from Councillor Galgay, the only one I contacted directly, AND one from Councillor O'Leary so it appears our support is making the rounds. Excellent news!

Same here.

[Copes]

Originally Posted by statbass

Same here.

Me as well. One from both.

[PoscStudent]

I'm going to try and get an email wrote up to send as well. However, I would suggest emailing all councillors or at least several. Who knows if they send these emails to other councillors or even let them know of the support from residents. Galgay isn't the most pro-development councillor so if he doesn't like the plan he may not bother telling us that there is support for it.

I'd suggest sending an email to Debbie Hanlon, I believe she was speaking out in favour of the pedway when it was proposed and she's lives downtown, and some of the at large councillors.

[Arrakis]

Anyone know where the councillors email contact list is on the new website?

[Copes]

http://www.stjohns.ca/city-hall/about-city-hall/council

[Arrakis]

Never mind. I found it.

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Anyone know where the councillors email contact list is on the new website?

[Arrakis]

Have emailed several councillors too to show my support of the Marriott proposal for Duckworth Street.

Anything is better than the ugly parking lot that is there now. Now we need someone to build something nice on the other open gravel pits in the downtown at Kings Road and Duckworth across Sir Humpfrey Gilbert building and the Harbour Drive at Water Street corner across from Fortis.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Have emailed several councillors too to show my support of the Marriott proposal for Duckworth Street.

Anything is better than the ugly parking lot that is there now. Now we need someone to build something nice on the other open gravel pits in the downtown at Kings Road and Duckworth across Sir Humpfrey Gilbert building and the Harbour Drive at Water Street corner across from Fortis.

That's the key for me. We're not talking about tearing down heritage structures to put up a strip mall. We're talking about turning empty lots into buildings that, while modern, still reflect our heritage. It's a win-win.

[christopher_chafe]

Just got a response from Galgay and O'Leary on a revised letter about the Marriott and other issues. My gut tells me that Galgay's response that I got was a standard response he sends out to all emails.

[Townie709]

Maybe I'm just an idiot, but I can't seem to find any of the councilors e-mail addresses on the new website.. Can somebody point me in the right direction