A few weeks ago I posted a letter that I sent to the Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall and Council. My letter was just one small part of a massive community organizing effort regarding the proposed building of a transit facility in an urban green space.
Yes our city needs a new transit maintenance facility. No, we should not be building it in green space.
Today the Mayor and three councillors put out this report to council asking that at their next meeting (this upcoming Monday) council vote rescind the motions for approval of the facility in that location and instead direct city staff to work with BC Transit to find a better site for the facility.
Yes, this still needs to be voted on at council, but I’m optimistic that it will pass as it already has substantial support as evidenced by the Mayor’s report.
I hope that this groundswell of concern translates into a longer-term vision for preserving, expanding, and improving our urban green spaces here in Prince George – whether in our own backyard or in that of someone else.
Thanks to the organizers of this effort; to Mayor Hall and Councillors Frizzell, Scott, and Skakun for taking part in the disucssion and for being responsive; and to the many citizens who voiced their opinions in a variety of venues.
Let’s see this vision and passion continue to grow along with the trees and other creatures at the base of Cranbrook Hill that we have preserved for future generations.
As I posted in my letter to council, here are some resources that may be of interest:
- TreeCanada
- Canadian Urban Forest Network
- Smart Prosperity Institute (Municipal Natural Assets Initiative)
