Editor: A new year is a good time to look once again at the proposed Community Hub.
It will be located in the historic Upper Bend of King Street.
It seems a shame to have to lose the parkette and open space outside the main doors of the mall. It really accentuates the Bend.
We will lose the parkette in order to add a box onto the front of the former Sears. This will be the council chambers. It will extend out to the sidewalk.
It’s too bad the project can’t be pushed back from the street.
Ideally with a project of this magnitude, the municipality should be able to build what they want, and not lose that open space at the Bend.
But the project is compromised by the restrictions of the former Sears site.
The library will be on two different floors. All on the first floor would be preferred. There will, however, be much improved sight lines for security.
There will be much improved security in the new hub. I’m just wondering how much that will cost.
Some may be surprised to hear the library has employed a security guard from noon to closing time for years.
The municipal offices on the second floor will also have heightened security with no access without an appointment.
The library board is apparently also not happy with what is being offered in terms of handicapped/seniors access to parking for library patrons. The drivers of the cars will have to step out into the busy traffic on Fifth Street to access the side doors of the hub.
I’m also not sure if there is room for the municipal offices to grow over the next 50-plus years. Remote workers are increasingly being called back by their employers. So perhaps the footprint of the hub is too small.
I support the idea of the Community Hub at the Upper Bend of King Street. I believe, however, the municipality needs to have more of the mall property to overcome all the restrictions, and to have room for growth. It’s a once-in-50 years project.
There was for instance supposed to be a passageway between the municipality and 100 King St. It brought to mind the old Sixth Street. This was to be an addition to the parkette enhancing the Upper Bend. But that was not up for sale! The municipality wasn’t allowed to buy it.
Diane Gilhula
Chatham
