Plaza 88 tower plan not the mix New Westminster needs
Thirty-nine storeys of one-person living! Above-ground parking! More fast food outlets! Cheap shopping!
Located next to New Westminster SkyTrain station, Plaza 88 has proposed to build its next tower as 39 storeys of “small box” rental living. Was affordability mentioned?
What happened to provision for families looking for livable housing—need we ask? Is this going to be just another tall tower of expensive temporary living for revolving-door tenants?
There are three other towers already in place nearby that have plenty of available rental space. Some of the condos in these towers have not yet been lived in. The above-ground parking for the other three towers already built is certainly not filled. New parking underground is much less intrusive in a city where stark concrete is becoming dominant.
Does anyone think this proposed development meets the needs of the population in New Westminster? It seems to meet the needs of only one group of people who can pay expensive rent for a small living space.
We need a mix of neighbourhood homes whether they are single-family houses, duplexes, townhomes or condos, with a mix of young families, single people, and empty nesters. These residents need easy accessibility to transportation, shopping, medical needs and social events. We need buildings where all residents, not just one segment of society, can enjoy the positive aspects of living in New West.
What kind of shopping area can we expect with this proposed tower? More fast food outlets, another dollar store? We have enough cheap shopping. Let’s try for some Downtown shops that appeal to a variety of shoppers.
Plaza 88 is trying to get changes to city bylaws, to meet their building needs.
Let’s see developers and builders meet the social needs and future vision of the city they are building in.
H. McCulloch
New Westminster
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