Re: "Permanent Robson Street plaza studied," Aug. 30.
A precedent was set in Vancouver for Victoria to follow when a part of a busy street was closed temporarily to make way for a new pedestrian plaza.
This is something I have advocated for James Bay's Five Corners, a place of huge potential for that part of the community. The main feature there is a popular Thrifty Foods store, great for shopping but not distinguished as the key identifiable centre of our community.
Toronto Street, narrow and with sidewalks right at the curbs, connects Five Corners to Beacon Hill Park. It could be nice but parked cars and trucks pose some risk to children and the elderly on electric carts.
James Bay deserves better interest by city hall. Look at the geography. Look at the Ogden Point breakwater. Consider the flocks of tourists from cruise ships and the Coho ferry who walk the worn-out and narrow sidewalk on their way past marinas and other water views to downtown.
With the legislature, Royal B.C. Museum, a new Maritime Museum, the newly invented Fisherman's Wharf Park and Beacon Hill, the James Bay village pretty much has it all.
But a Five Corners Plaza could attract artists and musicians and become a beautiful gathering place for residents and tourists alike.
Redner Jones
Victoria
