Two readers raised some questions regarding to work set to begin along Terminal Ave. this summer. (City of Nanaimo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Water Cooler: Upgrades to Terminal Ave. through downtown Nanaimo

Feb 18, 2023 | 9:25 AM

NANAIMO — The Water Cooler is NanaimoNewsNOW’s letters to the editor-style segment, featuring conversations about the news in Nanaimo and Oceanside.

This week’s feature focuses on plans to refresh Terminal Ave. between Esplanade and Commercial St., including new landscaping of Pioneer and Italian Square Parks.

Gary Mc., Nanaimo: It is indeed great to see the proposed downtown improvements in infrastructure. However, as the crime rate and presence of indigent people in the downtown core is so prevalent that the average citizen feels unsafe and threatened in any downtown area, I feel my tax dollars are being wasted. I will not go downtown unless absolutely necessary. A great example of putting the cart before the horse – I will not go downtown and spend money to bolster an unsafe, unfriendly and dangerous environment.

NanaimoNewsNOW: There are multiple issues at play here with multiple parties at the table and responsibilities to take into account.

The City of Nanaimo is not responsible for solving, tackling or otherwise addressing the root causes of social disorder in the downtown. Mental health and addictions, housing, healthcare are all senior government (mainly provincial) responsibilities.

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Nevertheless, it City must deal with the fallout from many of these challenges, which is where frustration can arise.

Through the presentation this week, it was mentioned multiple times how the redesign of both Pioneer Park and Italian Square Park will be with better urban design in mind, in a bid to encourage proper use of these spaces and not have them be used for long-term living.

People have long cried out for a better, more inviting downtown. Certainly this appears to be a step in the right direction and coupled with work to be done further down Terminal, centred around the former Jean Burns site, is borderline transformative for the downtown.

But, and it’s a big but, issues around mental health and addictions, housing and healthcare won’t be eliminated by fancy trees and shrubs. It’s up to continued advocacy from City Hall and action from the province to deal with the root causes in a bid to limit the ramifications.

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Johanna G., Nanaimo: Could they redo the through-town highway aka Nicol St. From Commercial Ave. to Comox Rd? The pot holes and manholes make it a very bumpy drive. It would show some care and pride, along with the other proposed changes in the area.

NanaimoNewsNOW: Much like the challenges outlined in the letter above, Terminal Ave. itself has many different players and interests.

The roadway itself is a provincial highway, a leg of the Trans-Canada Hwy., so its maintenance falls under the jurisdiction of the province. The City obviously has a vested interest in its care and condition, but it is first and foremost a highway.

Work continues on repaving sections of area highways, with two major projects completed in the last two years on the Old Island Hwy. in the north end of Nanaimo.

Crews wrapped in October 2022 on a section between Turner Rd. and Mary Ellen Dr., which followed similar work just to the south in 2021.

As part of upgrades to Terminal Ave. and the surrounding area, the province is contributing roughly $1.2 million which will see not only re-paving, but also a centre median.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

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