Re: “Had we acted in 2011, we would be riding the rails,” letter, Oct. 21.

Back in the early 2000s, at a driver’s workshop at B.C. Transit, we were presented with data describing the growth of Greater Victoria to date, in essence, the entire area receiving bus service, from Sooke to Sidney. How to prepare for the density and grow-out of residential space.

This was before the Uptown mall replaced the Town and Country mall.

The proposal was clever. Light-rail transit from the West Shore all the way to town and then James Bay. An interchange at the T&C mall, where trains west to the dockyard, east to UVic and north to the airport and ferries, all meet out of the weather.

The plan showed the trains ­running down Douglas, with the buildings ­developed, single storey at the road, ­rising upwards to towers in the background, commercial up front, residential behind.

A live-work strategy, almost eliminating auto traffic, or at the very best, thinning out the gridlock we are so accustomed to.

Plans are always nice; however, here’s the kicker.

As long as the horizon for changes and planning remains at four to eight years (the length of time it takes a politician at all levels of governance to receive their pensions), nothing of importance will happen.

Sure, there are a few individuals who make improvements within their frameworks, and those should be applauded.

One such man was Bob Lingwood, a long-past CEO of transit, having worked for Translink and B.C. Ferries as well.

Let the visionaries propose, and let the rest of us act on their behalf. The world would be a better place for it.

Tom Romanuk

Courtenay

Re: “Ground broken for three towers at north end of downtown,” Oct. 22.

More towers absolutely devoid of any architectural imagination, ingenuity (and God forbid whimsy) will serve as a gateway to a downtown littered with more of the same.

If I have read correctly, 20% of 133 units (make that about 26 units) will be offered at below market rates. No mention of how much below.

Wow! What an impact on the current affordable housing crisis. I appreciate how difficult these development decisions are, but could we not insist just once that there is a bolder vision and a more iconic result?

I am reminded of a recent art installation sardonically proclaiming, “It is of the utmost importance that we repeat our mistakes as a reminder to future generations of the depths of our stupidity.”

David........

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