Architect Franc D'Ambrosio's Atrium Building in Victoria

In Victoria on the weekend, daughter's birthday lunch at Zambri's and a quick tour of architect Franc D'Ambrosio's Atrium. D'Ambrosio quarterbacked the Downtown Design Guidelines (Urban Planning Institute of BC Award for Excellence in Planning) here in Nanaimo. Collaboration with artist Bill Porteus. The concierge/security guard volunteered detailed background on the developer, the architect and the artists (paintings and wood sculptures by Porteus on display). He also offered opinion questioning the wisdom of the provincial government's privatization of real estate assets that were housing ministry offices, even generating revenue to help cover costs by leasing commercial space. Tenants include BC Ferries and provincial ministries. Good for my company he said but maybe not so good for the taxpayer. Great airy light filled space and a real effort made to draw activity into the space from shops and cafes, but made me appreciate all the more the buzz of Safdie's main library atrium in Vancouver.

Did #Vancouver's Affordability Task Force put EVERYTHING on the table? This was my advice in @spacing when they started spacingvancouver.ca/2012/02/22/fro…
— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) September 30, 2012

@nlamontagne @neil21 @mikeklassen Larger, cheaper model is subsidized by public infrastructure. Time to return to the multi-use town centre.
— TheSidewalkBallet (@1sidewalkballet) September 30, 2012

Next Financial Crisis That Could Cripple Cities- Unfunded liabilities of city pension plans: $574 billion... fb.me/I7eadXaf
— TheSidewalkBallet (@1sidewalkballet) September 28, 2012

It's a trend: Rona sez no big box, instead: small "neighbourhood stores". Planners: Opportunity knocks. @globeandmailsoc.li/yFW1aTi

— TheSidewalkBallet (@1sidewalkballet) September 28, 2012

In #Montreal, @shareable finds "a palpable 'we’re in this together' mentality emanating from street corners everywhere" ht.ly/e2z8s
— PPS (@PPS_Placemaking) September 28, 2012

The Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing Final Report

REPORT SUMMARY This Council report presents the final report from the Mayor’s Task Force of Housing Affordability (Bold Ideas Towards an Affordable City) for Council consideration, which includes a summary of the results of the re:THINK HOUSING competition and the webbased Place Speak survey. This staff report also seeks Council direction to implement the priority City actions identified in the body of the report and in the attached priority action plan (Appendix A). PDF here.