Do you want more development in Spencer Smith Park on Burlington’s downtown waterfront? City councillors voted 4-3 this week to put the old Freeman Train Station in the park. It will go near the foot of Brant and Lakeshore, at street level with lower level washrooms walking out to the park.
Now councillors want your feedback before the issue comes to a final vote at city council March 22, 7 pm, at City Hall.
Speak up for greenspace
I’ll personally be delegating to council against adding more development in Spencer Smith. If you’d like to add your support to my delegation please email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net (Your contact information will be kept confidential and you don’t need to attend or speak at the meeting).
Better alternatives
If we need washrooms in Spencer Smith, there are better locations than a prominent building on our main street. If we are going to preserve Freeman Station, there are more appropriate locations, including Ireland House Museum on Guelph Line, which is one of the options under consideration.
The museum already has an active educational and historical program for visitors and could incorporate the historic train station – maybe even display items related to Burlington’s rail history. This is a more relevant use for a heritage building than turning it into modern washrooms, and my delegation will ask councillors to support that option.
Residents speak
So what do you think? Email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net, or post a comment by clicking here.