HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-05, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2003.
Downtown architecture at centre of HE debate
On main street
With only one in four downtown Brussels businesses in
pondered its needs and luture. (File photo)
By David Blaney
Special to The Citizen
Official plans are not easy things
to understand nor are they exciting
things to read.
But an exchange which took place
at a recent Huron East council
meeting, as politicians and planners
grappled with the municipality’s
new draft official plan, illustrates the
importance of the current attempt to
knit together the planning visions of
the five former towns, villages and
townships that now constitute Huron
East.
“Is it your priority to develop the
downtown core?”
“It may be our priority but it isn’t
necessarily the building owners’.”
The question came from Cindy
Fisher, a Huron County planner. The
answer was from Lin Steffler the
mayor of Huron East. Between them
Public speakers
The senior contestants of the Brussels-Grey speak-off held at the Brussels Legion Feb. 26
were, back row, from left: Tanya Bechard, Grey; Michelle Cousins, Brussels; Pam Cousins,
Brussels. Front: Alysha Lewis, Grey; Ambert Daugherty, Grey; Lindsay Watson, Brussels, the
first-place winner. With them is Legion President Rick McDonald. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
they may have crystallized the
dilemma facing the commercial area
of Brussels.
The proposed plan talks about the
downtown core as the ‘dominant,
intensive and diversified centre of
commercial activity’. It prohibits the
decentralization of commercial uses
“... in order to promote investor
confidence in the future of the core
area by creating a certain and stable
investment climate for the
expansion, rehabilitation,
redevelopment and restoration of the
core areas.
Later it goes on to say, ‘ ...core
development in Brussels should
have regard for the existing
downtown heritage features.’
The language may. seem clear and
to the point, but what it means in the
context of the reality of downtown
Brussels is less clear.
The current reality is that only one
retail, Huron East council has
location in four is involved in retail
trade. Twelve locations are for rent
or sale and a third of those would
need major repairs prior to being
used for anything other than storage.
Of the remaining locations in the
core of Brussels, most are offices or
involved in aspects of the service
industry.
Where one stands on the question
of how to deal with the reality
appears to depend on the importance
placed on the architectural integrity
of the downtown core.
One side of this debate was voiced
by Brussels councillor Greg Wilson.
During the discussion concerning
the importance of the downtown
core he stated, “We have a lot of
empty stores and they are good for
nothing.” He went on to ask, “If
someone wanted to put in a small
strip mall does this mean they
can’t?”
Councillor Joe Seili of Brussels
wanted to know whether the
reference to heritage features meant
that if you wanted to develop a
downtown location you would have
to keep the front wall. This was a
reference to the fact that several
cities require developers to retain the
facades of buildings that have been
designated as significant even if they
tear the remaining structure down
and place a new building in its place.
He was very clear about the fact that
he, “... wouldn’t want a developer to
be tied to these buildings.”
The argument for both men is
simple and based on economics. If it
is going to cost more to attempt to
renovate a building than knock it
down and replace it with a new
structure then it makes good
business sense to demolish the old
and replace it. If you are going to ask
someone to invest in your
community let him invest in a
manner that has the greatest
immediate economic logic.
Seili also argues that from an
esthetic and safety point of view the
downtown area would be better off if
several of the unoccupied buildings
in the area were bulldozed.
Kathy Nichol, executive director
of the Innkeepers of Ontario whose
office has just moved to the
downtown core argues however that
the architecture is the main drawing
card for someone to invest in the
area and that each piece you remove
damages your ability to promote the
remainder. She questions the
wisdom of tearing down buildings
without a complete vision of what
would replace them. “If they are
going to be tom down are they going
to be replaced by something useful
for the people in town?”
Jim Lee who recently purchased a
building on Tumberry Street also
argues that every attempt should be
made to maintain the architectural
integrity of the core-district. “Keep
the character because that is all you
have to sell,” he said.
He acknowledges however that
some structures may have passed the
point where investment in them is
not really a practical proposition.
Lee suggests that “some may have to
be removed and if they are they
should be replaced with parkland to
enhance the appearance of the
downtown.”
Seili and Lee both see the lack of
investment dollars as a significant
problem. They argue that the
unwillingness of banks to provide
mortgages for rural downtowns
means those who might consider
investing in properties are left
without funds for improvements and
in need of immediate returns to
survive.
Lee talks about the necessity of a
community “taking back ownership
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of the downtown core” by doing
things that add character to the area.
Paul Nichol the economic
development manager of the Huron
Business Development Centre
approaches the same subject from a
different but complimentary
direction. Nichol contends, “The
whole notion of a downtown was a
place where people went to meet and
relate. That’s why they put libraries
and post offices in the core.”
Lee commented that there is a lot
of traffic moving through the
community to the Lake Huron shore
and says, “to boost retail these are
the people who have to be given a
reason to stop.” Nichol agrees and
suggests that we should all, “attempt
to get a first impression. Come to
town with fresh eyes and see what
others see.”
The difficulty in rejuvenating the
downtown core of Brussels was
acknowledged and no single, all
encompassing solution was put
forward. Interestingly enough
however, agreement was universal
on the fact that appearance was a
significant factor.
Perhaps a little paint, a little co
operation, a little imagination and a
little pride will be the starting point
for a big change.
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Stapps 50**
k The children and
f grandchildren of
Tom & Joan
Armstrong
invite you to an
Open House
to celebrate their
50th Wedding
Anniversary
Saturday, March 15
from 2-4 p.m.
at the
Belgrave Community Centre
Best wishes only please