I am a regular transit user and avid supporter of transit improvements in Prince George. I am delighted to see the movement towards greener buses, reducing fuel consumption, etc.
However, I don't feel that the proposed location for a new transit facility at 18th and Foothills is the best one for Prince George. I walk and cycle on the trails along the bottom of Cranbrook Hill on a regular basis. I also live in the neighbourhood and value the green space and wildlife in the area.
What is the reason for this specific location being chosen? Would it not make more sense to locate the new facility in an industrial area in the city?
It's my understanding (from people who attended the public meeting on the issue) that the city feels it would take too long to decontaminate an existing industrial location in order to build this transit facility. This doesn't make sense.
Making a hasty decision just to avoid the work of decontaminating an area, resulting in contamination to green space that is a recreational and wildlife corridor, is not logical. To me, any industrial location would make more sense than in the middle of a green space, especially after the trail paving that was done in the last year or two to draw more recreational users to the area.
The city was happy to have photo ops showcasing the paving of the trail to make it accessible to all users (a project I fully supported) yet now they want to locate a large industrial facility right beside or even on the existing trail?
I hope city council will turn this down and choose a more suitable industrial location for this industrial facility.
Heather Lamb
Prince George
