Re: “30-storey building, tallest on Island, pitched for Victoria,” April 1.
I have spent the past 22 years promoting tourism in Victoria and believe that most people find Victoria to have a special charm and amazing ambience.
Since I moved here in 1983, I have watched downtown highrises slowing get higher and higher. First it was eight storeys, then 12. For me, the 21-storey Promontory, which sits on a promontory at the entrance to our city, is a blight on the horizon. I live on the West Shore and I think it looks ridiculous and changes the skyline in a negative way.
I also no longer think that Vancouver is beautiful. Driving through downtown Vancouver looking up at glass walls and wondering where the sun is is not beautiful to me. Do we want this in Victoria? I don’t think so.
If Victoria council continues to move down this path, I think they will slowly remove the ambience and charm from downtown and it will eventually set a new tone for our beautiful city. I also understand the need for downtown density as it relates to a regional plan and know that it is important to find ways for people to live near where they work.
If we build up too high and tourism falls off, there might not be jobs available for the people who work downtown. I see 24 storeys on the Bay parkade site has already been approved. This is really too bad.
Ron Kirstein
Victoria
