Monday, February 11, 2008
New Beginings
Prnince George Independent Living Complex Society meets monthly on the 1st Wednesday of every month between September and June to plan for the future. Come out and make a diffrence! Please contact the society through lgrant@pgilcs.com if you would like to help the society meet our goals of housing for all! www.pgilcs.com
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
PGILCS Dreaming one
This Post is dedicated to the Prince George Independent Living Complex Society. PGILCS holds meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 PM @ 490 Dominion St in Prince George. You are invited to attend by contacting the society in advance at 250-563-1852 or stop by their website: http://www.pgilcs.com/.
NOTE:
*This dream was dreamt by Ken Biron and in no way reflects any actual plan so far by the PG Independent Living Complex Society. Ken is the Information Technology director for the PGILC Society* as well as being part of PG WalkNRoll Publications
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One area of town I would like to see developed is on the corners of 7th avenue and Victoria Street in Prince George. This area has been vacant since the late 90’s when the Chevron Service Station closed its’ doors. Around 2004, the area was fenced off and rezoned for “living/commercial” use. This is one of 3 lots in Prince George that this plan could fit in (with a few modifications). The lot mentioned has already been rezoned to suit our needs, which is one step we would need to have done later in other locations.
NOTE:
*This dream was dreamt by Ken Biron and in no way reflects any actual plan so far by the PG Independent Living Complex Society. Ken is the Information Technology director for the PGILC Society* as well as being part of PG WalkNRoll Publications
*********************************************************
One area of town I would like to see developed is on the corners of 7th avenue and Victoria Street in Prince George. This area has been vacant since the late 90’s when the Chevron Service Station closed its’ doors. Around 2004, the area was fenced off and rezoned for “living/commercial” use. This is one of 3 lots in Prince George that this plan could fit in (with a few modifications). The lot mentioned has already been rezoned to suit our needs, which is one step we would need to have done later in other locations.
For many years, this land was used as a busy service station. Gas spills occurred. Oil and other auto fluids were drained into the soil prior to the 1980’s. We were not as environmentally savvy years ago when that shop was running. Expensive treatment of the soil is needed before any other use of the land can occur, therefore it is not a very attractive property and it remains vacant. As you can see, the lot is stained by years of soil abuse.
It would be much better to get rid of the ground soil and use the hole in preparation for secure underground parking. I picture it as “paid” public parking, accessed from just off the corner on 7th Ave in the South East quarter and segregated. Private parking sections for commercial residents could be accessed from farther up 7th Ave, in the South West quarter of the complex. This could bring more revenue. The building would fill the entire lot. The building would offer free parking for the residential tenants of the building, accessed from the alley on the north side of the complex in that half of the building.
The North West Quarter could be made into lockable stalls. This area could be used for the storage of outdoor electric transportation (mobility scooters, power chairs). It could be accessed externally by a short lift to main floor level, as well as having access to the conventional entrance for residents’ vehicles. The stalls would be big enough so the resident could store their indoor equipment while out, thus saving the upkeep of the building and not restricting access. The lift from the parking level would come up from the north-west corner. Residents would park conventional vehicles in the North East Quarter; access would be from that corner in the alley.
The ground floor of this complex could be generating revenue. “Walk through” coffee shops set along Victoria Street could provide an alternative to the “Drive through” which is in danger of extinction. On the corner of 7th Ave and Victoria Street, it would be reserved for a “healthy choice” walk through. Along 7th Ave, the complex would offer professional office (Doctors, lawyers ECT) spaces to keep the theme of the neighborhood.
The sidewalk would be covered and sheltered, providing access no mater what the weather with very little maintenance along Victoria Street and 7th Ave. At the north-west corner of the complex (set back from the sidewalk along the alley) an external lift could go up one side of the complex to carry residents to the living spaces above. A phone; (hot-lined to the rooms above) in full view of a camera will provide safe & secure access to the residential levels above.
The residential section will take a lot of professional planning by committees like the former Special Needs Advisory Council (now the Accessibility Awareness Committee or AAC). After the floor space of level one is measured and planned, we will see how many apartments we can have per floor above. With this big of a base, we can add level after level as funds grow. The neighborhood on all sides will be satisfied, the very visible public and commercial level will satisfy the commercial neighbors on all sides, the residential apartments will compliment Victoria Manor apartments just east across Victoria Street.
Residents will also watch the neighborhood and provide a measure of security. Incentives will be offered to residents who report neighborhood crimes they spot and perpetrators are convicted. We may not face the “not in my Backyard” fear many residential neighborhoods will have, as this plan will benefit Prince George in many ways and satisfy Prince George Independent Living Complex’s goals.
After this plan becomes reality, the same kind of set up can happen at 4 other lots in the inner city. There are 3 more along Victoria Street where this could work. All sections (with the exception of plan one) will need to be rezoned commercial / residential and face possible neighborhood opposition.
Between 11th and 10th avenue on Victoria Street we see our next location. This area would actually be a better spot, as it takes up a whole city block and apears larger. We can have so many more living spaces above. Parkwood Mall, Blockbuster Video and a car wash are neighbors to the south along 15th avenue, BC Housing and the Greyhound Bus depot are west
The residential section will take a lot of professional planning by committees like the former Special Needs Advisory Council (now the Accessibility Awareness Committee or AAC). After the floor space of level one is measured and planned, we will see how many apartments we can have per floor above. With this big of a base, we can add level after level as funds grow. The neighborhood on all sides will be satisfied, the very visible public and commercial level will satisfy the commercial neighbors on all sides, the residential apartments will compliment Victoria Manor apartments just east across Victoria Street.
Residents will also watch the neighborhood and provide a measure of security. Incentives will be offered to residents who report neighborhood crimes they spot and perpetrators are convicted. We may not face the “not in my Backyard” fear many residential neighborhoods will have, as this plan will benefit Prince George in many ways and satisfy Prince George Independent Living Complex’s goals.
After this plan becomes reality, the same kind of set up can happen at 4 other lots in the inner city. There are 3 more along Victoria Street where this could work. All sections (with the exception of plan one) will need to be rezoned commercial / residential and face possible neighborhood opposition.
Between 11th and 10th avenue on Victoria Street we see our next location. This area would actually be a better spot, as it takes up a whole city block and apears larger. We can have so many more living spaces above. Parkwood Mall, Blockbuster Video and a car wash are neighbors to the south along 15th avenue, BC Housing and the Greyhound Bus depot are west
and private owned houses to the north; oppisition to that part of the plan is likely to occur in this area.
Along Victoria Street beside the ranch motel to the south and the Connaught Motor Inn & Restaurant to the North. This location has restricted access ability do to road design and likely would not be good for this plan
On the North west corner of 17th Avenue and Queensway Street is another spot between a busy car lot to the south, older residential apartments to the west and south and a housing project in the former Backpacker motel to the east across Queensway street. This will be discribed in another blog
All of these images were captured with Google Earth... Is Google God? You decide!
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