More people living there will change the tenor of the downtown, but they have to want to
The City of Prince George has a target to meet: 1,803 new homes in five years. This was issued by the province earlier this month, and Mayor Simon Yu said the city is ready to meet that goal.Across Canada, home affordability is reaching crisis levels. Home prices have shot up. Rents are out of reach for many, even those who can find decent housing in tight markets. Things aren’t as bad here, but there are signs that we may be in for much of the same in the years ahead.
This trend is growing in Canadian cities. Advocates promote the benefits of living close to the heart of the city. Walkability and easy access to work, shopping, services and leisure are two of the big ones.
These projects are a step toward a revitalized downtown, but it will take time. And it will take interest. A lot of people won’t even consider living in downtown Prince George for the same reasons some businesses are leaving, with vacant storefront after vacant storefront a sign of their concerns. Drugs and crime – much of it linked to homelessness – have changed people’s perception of the city core.
He’s right, but it’s a bit of a catch-22. Building more higher-end residences downtown will bring in new people, whose presence will gradually change the tenor of the neighbourhood. But to attract them, the city must fund much-needed upgrades and adopt a stronger commitment to safety on downtown streets and sidewalks.
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