Open Letter to Mayor Nenshi - Save 9th Avenue
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| An artist's representation of the proposed RNDSQR Block development at 1230-1234 9th Ave SE. |
By: Nick Clark
Last week we published a blog about three separate land-use change applications that have been proposed on 9th avenue in Inglewood (907-915 9th Ave SE, 1025-1139 9th Ave SE, 1230-1234 9th Ave SE). Each of the buildings is more than twice the existing bylaw limit of 65 feet or about six storeys. City Council is due to review the proposed land use changes on July 27.
Members of the Inglewood Community Association are calling on Calgarians to speak up before this date to voice their concerns to council in hopes of retaining the community character of Inglewood that we all know and love.
A petition, which has already received over 22,000 signatures, has been started by the Association and Calgarians can call or write to their councilor to express their views. Click here for more information.
Below is a copy of the letter sent by Spot Power's owners to Mayor Nenshi and city councillors.
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Dear Mayor Nenshi
As a local business in Inglewood, we oppose the construction of a 12-story building in the neighborhood. We recently made the decision to support the Inglewood BIA in their campaign to “Save 9th Avenue”. To read our blog on this issue please click here.
Our hope is that 9th Avenue will remain an attractive destination for locals and tourists, while at the same time protecting the heritage of the area. Unfortunately, the heritage and charm of our community is at risk of being destroyed by the RNDSQR Land Use application that goes to City Council on July 27, 2020.
Amazingly in only one week, we had over 45,000 views of Spot Power’s Inglewood blog on Facebook and LinkedIn, and we were successful in helping to encourage people to sign the petition in opposition to the City plan. Today there are over 22,000 people who have expressed their opinion on the petition and the list continues to grow. It is clear that Calgarians are concerned about the proposed land use changes. To view the petition click here.
A note of thanks also needs to go out to the local developer Jim Hill (Esker Foundation), who helped fund a detailed study undertaken by Urban Strategies. The interim report is full of facts that we hope you and those on the City Council will give your consideration. We hope that you will vote “No” to the proposal to allow a 12-story building to be built in Inglewood.
In the report by Urban Strategies, it is noted that the city has not presented a compelling urban design rationale to permit 12-story buildings in our neighborhood. Yet it is being progressively promoted by Councilor Gian-Carlo Carra. Why? Possibly he believes that permitting 12-story buildings on 9th Avenue may result in perceived improvements to the street by encouraging the replacement of undesirable uses or unattractive buildings, and the increased density of people in the area might be good for business along Atlantic Ave. There is no evidence to support this opinion.
However, in our minds, destroying the historic atmosphere of Inglewood is not worth it. As a point of reference, we are also a landlord in the area and know firsthand the importance of encouraging people to shop locally and enjoy the experience of wandering the street. It is our opinion, the proposed land use changes will harm the character and pedestrian experience of the street and on neighboring properties, including ours.
Also noted in the Urban Strategies report, is that the style of the building will be ill-fitting and out of scale with existing buildings. It further provides a view that it will adversely impact the unique character of Atlantic Ave.
Inglewood has a rich history dating back to 1875 when the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post on the east bank of the Elbow River. The heritage legacy is second only to that of Stephen Avenue. The commercial and mixed residential-commercial architecture is one of Calgary’s best collections of Edwardian styled buildings.
Shouldn’t we try to protect this heritage and not risk destroying the identity of the community? We hope that common sense will rule the day.
Please listen to the people.
Yours truly,
Nick Clark
Director
Spot Power and Utility Network & Partners
Members of the Inglewood Community Association are calling on Calgarians to speak up before this date to voice their concerns to council in hopes of retaining the community character of Inglewood that we all know and love.
A petition, which has already received over 22,000 signatures, has been started by the Association and Calgarians can call or write to their councilor to express their views. Click here for more information.
Below is a copy of the letter sent by Spot Power's owners to Mayor Nenshi and city councillors.
----
Dear Mayor Nenshi
As a local business in Inglewood, we oppose the construction of a 12-story building in the neighborhood. We recently made the decision to support the Inglewood BIA in their campaign to “Save 9th Avenue”. To read our blog on this issue please click here.
Our hope is that 9th Avenue will remain an attractive destination for locals and tourists, while at the same time protecting the heritage of the area. Unfortunately, the heritage and charm of our community is at risk of being destroyed by the RNDSQR Land Use application that goes to City Council on July 27, 2020.
Amazingly in only one week, we had over 45,000 views of Spot Power’s Inglewood blog on Facebook and LinkedIn, and we were successful in helping to encourage people to sign the petition in opposition to the City plan. Today there are over 22,000 people who have expressed their opinion on the petition and the list continues to grow. It is clear that Calgarians are concerned about the proposed land use changes. To view the petition click here.
A note of thanks also needs to go out to the local developer Jim Hill (Esker Foundation), who helped fund a detailed study undertaken by Urban Strategies. The interim report is full of facts that we hope you and those on the City Council will give your consideration. We hope that you will vote “No” to the proposal to allow a 12-story building to be built in Inglewood.
In the report by Urban Strategies, it is noted that the city has not presented a compelling urban design rationale to permit 12-story buildings in our neighborhood. Yet it is being progressively promoted by Councilor Gian-Carlo Carra. Why? Possibly he believes that permitting 12-story buildings on 9th Avenue may result in perceived improvements to the street by encouraging the replacement of undesirable uses or unattractive buildings, and the increased density of people in the area might be good for business along Atlantic Ave. There is no evidence to support this opinion.
However, in our minds, destroying the historic atmosphere of Inglewood is not worth it. As a point of reference, we are also a landlord in the area and know firsthand the importance of encouraging people to shop locally and enjoy the experience of wandering the street. It is our opinion, the proposed land use changes will harm the character and pedestrian experience of the street and on neighboring properties, including ours.
Also noted in the Urban Strategies report, is that the style of the building will be ill-fitting and out of scale with existing buildings. It further provides a view that it will adversely impact the unique character of Atlantic Ave.
Inglewood has a rich history dating back to 1875 when the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post on the east bank of the Elbow River. The heritage legacy is second only to that of Stephen Avenue. The commercial and mixed residential-commercial architecture is one of Calgary’s best collections of Edwardian styled buildings.
Shouldn’t we try to protect this heritage and not risk destroying the identity of the community? We hope that common sense will rule the day.
Please listen to the people.
Yours truly,
Nick Clark
Director
Spot Power and Utility Network & Partners