Questions were left unanswered as residents showed their concern at an open house for the new B.C. Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility last night.
The proposed site for the facility which is currently in development, is located at the corner of Foothills Boulevard and 18th Avenue.
Area residents had the opportunity to ask questions regarding the $23 million project, funded through the Public Transit and Infrastructure Fund.
Why was the location chosen?
This was a common question from those who attended a jam packed room at the Kin Centre.
"There should be a justification report as to why this property," said resident, Jo Graber. "We have seen nothing. The city has no information on this."
After a presentation from B.C. Transit and the city's planning and development department, concerns were made clear regarding pollution, noise, safety, cost and loss of green space. But the question of why this particular location was one regularly revisited throughout the night.
"This was the location chosen," said B.C. Transit manager, Levi Timmermans. "There are no B and C locations."
This was unacceptable for audience members as they shouted "no answers," a phrase heard repeatedly throughout the meeting.
"We will not be discussing any other sites," Ian Wells, general manager of the city's planning and development said.
The green space, used for many fitness regimes was also of concern.
"They should not be taking more greenbelt. We've already lost so much," said resident, Doug Fry. "They've already taken the tennis courts, driving range and baseball diamonds there. What next?" said another concerned resident. "If they get their foot in the door, it will only invite other industrial buildings in the area. When will it ever end?"
"This is not zoned as a greenbelt," Wells said.
"Only a small area."
The new facility will be used for bus maintenance, fueling - including the ability to use compressed natural gas (CNG) - a bus wash, offices and storage.
According to B.C. Transit, with the continued growth of the Prince George transit system, the current locations have reached their capacity.
It is expected that future growth of transit in the city will occur and the new facility will have the capacity to grow from servicing a maximum of 30 buses to 80 buses.
And with the CNG bus technology, Prince George transit says that there will be benefits to the environment because it is a cleaner burning fuel than diesel.
Many questions were also aimed at noise pollution.
According to Wells, the buses will leave at 6:30 a.m. and will not return on a given day until about 7 p.m. in the evening.
"The buses will go to 15th Avenue and on to Foothills," Wells said.
Numbers did not appear to match information provided to residents in terms of bus usage and costs but will be corrected according to Timmermans.
The goal of the project, according to B.C. Transit is to support clean-burning CNG buses as well as improve operational efficiency and ultimately, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
This also includes the addition of modern city buses with improved technology aimed at providing more efficient service, delivery and safety to support about 1.9 million rides given each year.
Residents continued to show their frustration during the question period with each answer received.
"It's seems it's a foregone conclusion for you but it's not a foregone conclusion for us," said resident, Jennifer Sparling.
The public is invited to submit written comments to the city for a public hearing in front of council in June. No date has been set.
To submit comments, go online to princegeorge.ca.
