Friday, August 6, 2010 Local musicians perform at Memorial Peace Park.
Page 14
ary Annivers 1985-2010
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Mosaics grace Haney streets
Bruce Walther and Anne Wilson are busy finishing their second tile mosaic in downtown Maple Ridge on 224th Street. The tile they are currently working on commemorates Thomas Haney, and they have already completed a mosaic representing the Canadian military with the slogan “For God and Country” written in tile. There will also be two more of these mosaics on Lougheed Highway in about three to four weeks. Walther said that the type of tile he is using in these mosaics will last thousands of years and can withstand extreme heat and freezing temperatures. “They’ve been uncovering mosaic floors every day in Europe that are thousands of years old,” he said. Walther has been creating these pieces of art for more than twenty years and has worked with Wilson for the past seven. The two have created mosaics all around the Lower Mainland and in Winnipeg. Walther said that the District of Maple Ridge noticed his work in New Westminster, which is why he was offered the project.
Bruce Walther puts the finishing touches on one of the four mosaics that are being embedded into the sidewalks of downtown Maple Ridge. Scott McKenzie/TIMES
Townhouses coming to former ghetto by Amy Steele
asteele@mrtimes.com
The formerly notorious, crime-ridden Northumberland Court strata complex on Fraser Street may soon be torn down and replaced with a new 29-unit townhouse development. Owner Ghalib Rawji met with District of Maple Ridge staff last week to present preliminary plans for the townhouse complex, which he believes could be a “catalyst” for revitalization of the area. “We had a very positive meeting. They were very cooperative with us,” said Rawji. “We looked at the condo project, we looked at a townhouse project and we felt a townhouse project suited the area a little better and also it’s more viable and conducive to bring new families into the area, which I think that area is suited for. It certainly makes more social sense as well to go that route.” Rawji met with some neighbourhood residents Wednesday night to discuss plans and “to give them peace of mind about what we’re doing and where we’re going.”
“The thing is moving forward because everybody wants to see it move forward,” said Rawji. Rawji said he’s been told it could take between six to eight months to get the project approved “but I’m hoping we can speed it up.” “I really would like to speed this up because there’s no point sitting on this property... without moving forward,” he said. The current site is fenced off and Rawji is paying for security to patrol it. He said there haven’t been any problems. “It’s been great. I think everyone’s kind of got the message now,” he said. “I think the biggest hurdle has been overcome, which is getting rid of some of the stigma of the site and getting rid of some of the people that were causing problems and that’s all gone. I know the neighbours are fairly happy.” Rawji predicts bulldozing the existing property and rebuilding there will have a “huge impact” on the neighbourhood. “I think it’s definitely going to be a catalyst here for a much better neighbourhood. I think it’s going to improve all aspects of the community here,” he said.
After Rawji bought the property there was some speculation that a high-rise condo or apartment would be built but he said that hasn’t been considered. “I don’t think it is the right fit, nor would it have been viable right now,” he said. “The market for it isn’t quite there. I think the market exists for younger, newer families. I think they’re more suited for townhouse type developments with some nice green space and space for kids and things like that.” Haney resident Tyler Ducharme, who organized the Wednesday meeting with Rawji, said the meeting was “kind of about turning the page and moving on.” “I think the meeting was positive and I personally didn’t have a problem with his overall plan and vision,” said Ducharme. Resident John McKenzie is also happy with the plan.
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