Editor: Now that the steelwork has been erected, we can all see how the addition of the Community Hub’s council chamber will negatively impact the junction of King and Fifth streets.
By coming much further forward than the footprint of the former Sears building, we have lost the open feeling that this junction has had since the Downtown Chatham Centre was first built; we have lost the flowerbeds, the trees and the clock that local citizens purchased to enhance the area. It also visually blocks the view of 100 King and pedestrian access to it.
Ironically, the council chamber is the most underused part of any Municipal building, used at most for a few hours one or two days a week, yet if left in its current position it will dominate the area for the next 50 years.
Stop the work, dismantle the steelwork and reposition it to the back of the Hub, close to the parking garage. Yes, it will cost money, but if it stays where it is now then future generations will scratch their head and ask, “Who thought that was a good idea?”
I can’t help but think that if a private company had purchased the Sears building and asked for permission to move its footprint forward it would have been met with a resounding “no” by council, but I guess when you own the building and make the rules it’s different.
John Willatt
Chatham
