In today's Vancouver Sun there was another article on the future Bosa property development at the New Westminster, BC waterfront and quay. As it happened, just yesterday, I stopped to look at the large, 'future-development' sign when we walked back from the movies along the river and through Westminster Pier Park. We'd known about development prospects when we first bought our apartment back in 1998. Luckily, the city's waterfront master plan has evolved a great deal since that time.
I love the fact that downtown will continue to change. It has improved greatly during these two decades and we were smart to choose this location. Lots of city planning has gone into making sure that the river becomes more accessible. In fact, the site will have fewer buildings than were originally anticipated. Of course technology has helped by making the addition of a 45-storey tower feasible at the location. Go higher and less density is required. Whether there are two or three towers remains to be seen but their placement is supposed to maintain views of the river.
Unfortunately, from our angle, we will be seeing mostly new glass. We will lose our small, remaining view of the Alex Fraser Bridge and most of the Fraser Surrey Docks. It's a small price to pay for progress, I guess. Clearly, the increased number of residents and new infrastructure will benefit us. Nothing stays the same.