'The hotel is one of my main objections to this ridiculous over-development of this piece of pristine lakefront,' says Barrie resident
BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a story titled 'SmartCentres' four-tower project along lakeshore still a hot topic with neighbours' published on March 20.
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The hotel is one of my main objections to this ridiculous over-development of this piece of pristine lakefront.
First of all, it will require entrance from Lakeshore Drive, which will impact the present footpath which many elderly people (myself included) but less sighted and frail feel safe walking daily exercising themselves and their dogs. There are no traffic lights or crossings to navigate thus making it a very safe route. Many of us do not want to end up in nursing homes as here we enjoy more peaceful living and at present do not have the challenge of avoiding traffic entering and leaving a busy hotel.
I know many people have written to city hall regarding this development, myself included, but none of our concerns are being addressed we feel very cheated as council went ahead, especially in a period of a world pandemic when many people could not meet to discuss these matters. Many persons do not have access to virtual-style council meetings and are — and were — unable to express their views in a timely manner. The rezoning of this land was done in a very underhanded way when our hands were tied and tongues restricted due to COVID.
The hotel is not for the people of Barrie; it is for out-of-towners who will only come to use our walkways, beach and other facilities that we are paying for with minimal return for the City of Barrie.
It is crowded enough now with limited parking along lakeshore and will be much worse with the extra influx of residents from the proposed hotel and towers, plus we can anticipate many more from the 34-50 Bradford St. development and extension of Simcoe Street.
On June 10, our mayor was quoted on local TV news stating that he was discouraging “out-of-towners” from using our beaches, yet the day before he was smiling at the proposed hotel and development right in the centre of this pristine lakefront that was paid for by citizens of Barrie.
The building, as shown, is amazing if it was being built in Las Vegas or Dubai, but is totally wrong for historic Barrie, Ont. Read the plaques describing Barrie’s history located near the flags on Lakeshore, then turn around and visualize this proposed monstrosity overpowering the marina, other properties and practically all of our wonderful city.
Several people have suggested that if a hotel is needed in Barrie it should be located facing Bradford Street or on the Fisher Auditorium area with a convention facility.
SmartCentres and Greenwin knew city limits and regulations when they bought this plot, but the city has agreed to their demands, disregarding the views of so many of our citizens.
Elizabeth Blair
Barrie
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