Here we go again: my, my - how can we resist you? There have been a series of meetings between city hall and Onni over the last few weeks.
As it now stands, council has directed city staff to see what public amenities it can get the developer to agree on - which may or may not include a public library or a maritime museum.
Steveston merchants have said 25 per cent retail, 25 per cent maritime use, and 50 per cent office space would work.
Onni claims that public response supports rezoning (and indeed, I do, but not in favour of Onni's proposal).
And the $2 million plus rental discounts Onni has thrown in to sweeten the deal for Steveston should make all Stevestonites roll over to have their bellies scratched, right?
I shop for groceries at the Super Grocer and Veggie King. Do I need Nestors? Meh - I have Herringers and D Sausage Haus and Sweet Spot. Do I need more clothing stores? Meh - I love Treasures Boutique, Dresses by C, Violet Hill, and Steve's Boardshop for the kids. Not to mention on-line shopping, which solves all the needs I can't meet by walking into the village.
Do I need a bank with a view? Seriously? I can take my iPhone to the dock and do my banking online. But Onni seems very sure of itself: An on-site construction worker informed us last summer that the concrete work for a bank safe had already been laid.
Onni wants to create a retail concept that serves my and my neighbours' "daily needs."
Too bad they haven't asked me. The Steveston merchants I shop with know me by my first name; they are my neighbours.
Onni's proposals, if accepted, will squeeze many of them out of business.
Onni's proposal sees our boardwalk busy all year round... with SHOPPERS! I want the boardwalk busy, too - with people who are strolling along to enjoy the view, or maybe having a picnic on one of the benches overlooking the Fraser River. Never, in any of Onni's proposals, has public enjoyment of the waterfront location been a priority. Onni could rescue itself by adding a pleasure craft marina in front of Imperial Landing.
Local interest, as well as the average income in the area, would support this proposal. Pleasure craft marine-related businesses could flourish.
Kayaking and stand-up boarding are already in place, thanks to Kaymaran Adventure Tours. If city hall swapped the parking lot across the street from the Steveston Community Centre, for Building Five at Imperial Landing, Onni could build to suit its needs for commercial rental income and Steveston Library would have a much better home, with a view, in Building Five.
Steveston Community Centre is busting out of its seams with fitness programs; the vacated library space would provide much needed space.
I sincerely hope that the boardwalk is not left to suffer through another season of empty buildings and uncared-for premises.
Surely city hall has more power than just the "no" word? How about an ultimatum? Onni must lease according to city hall zoning, or let the city and Steveston merchants take over the site's management.
Gudrun Heckerott is an active member of the Steveston community.
