Bright lights, big city

For no discernible reason, EGRT has decided to leave the lights on.  All the time.  Whether they are working or not.
So this is what shines in the windows of the local residents.

First, it is really really bright.  In fact, it's a bid eery coming into a dark room with this light on behind the curtains.  It's like the aliens are landing their space ship.

Second, what a waste of electricity.   Has nobody taught these people the value of turning out the lights?  Where were their mothers when they were growing up?

Third, and most amazingly, is to date, nobody has complained!  It seems everyone just figures it's part of the construction. But it isn't. And it's annoying.

EGRT, be good neighbours  - last one to leave, turn out the lights!

September in Burquitlam

A few days away brings a lot of change.  The intersection of Smith and Clarke is either one lane or shut down completely most days.  It is best, for now, to detour onto Como Lake.

Where the DQ once stood is now a post.

and the posts are going up quickly.

 In front of M&M you get a good shot of where the station will be with the new posts that will support it.

 And if you walk across the street you can see the grade of the train going into the ground. 

At this point, Burquitlam is still marginalized.  Largely ignored by both Coquitlam and Burnaby, it can occasionally be difficult to get services in this area.  But a new sidewalk is coming on North Road where none exists.  Of course it is hugely political.  Coquitlam residents pushed for it, but the City of Coquitlam said it was too expensive for the Coquitlam side, so they want to put it on the Burnaby side.  It should go without saying that Burnaby has said "well sure, but why should we do the upkeep".  Give me a break - is it so impossible for these people to cooperate?  Maybe it's time for Vancouver to swallow these small communities and give them a good kick in the pants much like Toronto has done.  While they bicker, it is the individual homeowners (who pay their taxes that they always forget) who lose.

With that in mind, Coquitlam is having a by-election.  October 26, 2013 we will vote in a couple of new councillors.  Wouldn't it be great if they were the type of people who put people first, and politics and power second?  Of the candidates, the only one I've seen out there is Bonita Zarillo.  Are we already marginalized before they even get voted in?

Changes

The local BCA meeting this week revealed that Bosa has apparently bought the subsidized housing site.  We have long commented that the site wouldn't last with the densification.  It's too much property and not enough income for the City.  At the meeting, it was mentioned that Bosa would like to put up some high rises - 32 stories.  That's a lot of densification.  Let's hope we get some super amenities out of it.

The new Safeway will have some under-it parking.  I'm wondering if they will have a problem with commuter parking that a lot of other areas have had.  Look at Holdom, with all it's "resident only" signs.  It won't be long before the City of Coquitlam will have to do the same thing to make sure the people who live here have adequate parking, even if they are taking the skytrain.  At a past meeting, however, it was noted that developers are cutting down on the ratio of parking to suites - so suites will have less parking.  Personally, I think that will make them less attractive.  Or possibly, it will make older buildings more attractive.  Let's hope.

The sign says it all.  Taken last night, with all the traffic and the confusion, the project is underway.  We stopped at one of the local cafes and they are quiet.  Much around them is gone.  I have to wonder if the fate of these poor business owners will be similar to the Cambie merchants.