Location of a proposed community hub development has proven to be a vital issue for residents responding to White Rock's own first survey of residents.
A summary of community engagement to this point published on the city's talkwhiterock.ca website shows that location of the community hub is "the most talked-about concern."
And the first question on the second survey – now live and waiting for residents to respond on the web page – is "what is your preferred location for the community hub?"
It's a chance for residents to make their views known on where the community hub should be.
So far, a majority of council has shown preference for a plan which would sell off city-owned land in the current city hall block on Buena Vista Avenue (including property that is home to the Fraser Valley Regional Library branch and a thriving daycare) for residential development.
Funds raised by this proposed sell-off would go to develop the uptown corner lot at Russell Avenue and Johnston Road (next to Oceana PARC Playhouse) into a residential tower that would also include a city hall, library, daycare, and various other suggested amenties, such as a seniors centre and a one-stop support centre for youth.
The plan has been opposed by former mayor Wayne Baldwin, who noted that the city originally expropriated the uptown land (site of a former gas station, now used as a parking lot) to create a community park.
In an interview with Peace Arch News Baldwin also voiced his opinion that the choice of the site for a community hub project is a poor one, which would still require extensive remediation of soil contamination, while development of underground parking required for a residential highrise-cum-civic centre would prove prohibitively costly.
Community pushback against the plan in numerous letters received by PAN suggests many share Baldwin's opinion about the uptown location and also believe the current city hall block would be the most appropriate site for development of the proposed hub.
Nearby residents have also voiced fears directly to council that selling the city hall property for residential development would only result in a view-blocking four- to six-storey building that would rob the neighbourhood of its character.
The talkwhiterock.ca website shows that more than 400 people completed the first survey, launched in April, while more than 120 people attended the May 22 open house on the proposed project. More than 50 emails have been received while more than 50 visited the community hub booth at the White Rock Farmers Market on June 8 alone, while staff have had "hundreds of direct conversations with residents."
The city website says that feedback so far shows residents would value a walkable, transit-accessible location, spaces that support civic services, community programming and childcare and services for all ages, from youth to seniors.
But consistent top priorities for any community hub development – according to those contributing to the city's first survey – were outdoor space, arts space and green space.
