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Letter: Let's not rush this process, PoMo writer says

The Editor, Re. “Port Moody unveils land sale referendum question” and “Pollster says PoMo Q not clear enough”
property
The future of the property where the Port Moody public works yard and the former fire hall site will be decided by a referendum taking place as part of the Oct. 20 civic election.

The Editor,

The Port Moody referendum question does not go to the heart of the issue, which is what public amenities, if any, do residents want built there? Downplaying this question puts the cart before the horse.

We should first have a detailed plan for the ideal public use of the ground level of the site.

Priorities should be sussed out by adding a poll to the referendum question and more community outreach, such as at schools and daycare drop-offs. Just mention an indoor pool.

After we have a clearer vision, we can better explore allowing use of the air space above for condos and/or subsidized housing if it will pay for the public amenities.

At present, it’s all talk about libraries in exchange for towers. A new library would be nice, sure, but not if it’s oversized, over-lit and fortress-like. A cozy, sunny, easily accessed library with a covered atrium opening onto small businesses like that of Library Square in downtown Vancouver, well, now we’re talking.

So let’s not rush this process, putting a shoddy cart in front of the horse even if the cart is named Big Library.

Megan Traverse, Port Moody