Dear Editor;
I need to preface my letter by confirming that I am the Administrator for the Elora BIA. However, I am writing this letter as a commercial property owner in the Village of Elora.
I have been genuinely disappointed by the “nay-sayers” (both at the Council meeting and in subsequent letters to the Editor in this publication) regarding the proposed Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
From the very beginning it has been made clear that the CIP is an Economic Development tool, not a Heritage Preservation tool. Those who are opposing it based on Heritage concerns, I believe, are doing a huge dis-service to the spirit of the plan and are actually harming the village by their opposition to it.
There are many property owners in the CIP focus area that can use/need the incentives that the program offers in order to make alterations, repairs or generally spruce up their properties. The vast majority of the buildings in our downtown are century (plus) buildings that are very costly to maintain and repair- yet create the very intrinsic fabric of what makes our community so unique. Improvements to these structures will employ labourers of many different kinds (hopefully mostly local!) creating jobs, and also preserving the heritage structures for many more years to come.
If I may, there seems to be a real bug in some people’s bonnet about the houses on Ross Street which (if I understand correctly, and I apologize if I have it wrong) are slated for demolition as part of the Landmark Group’s re-development of the south side of the river. All I can say is have you been over there? The area looks like a bomb went off! Creepy, overgrown, vacant buildings abutting the crumbling ruins of old stone factories. I’m surprised that anyone would even tackle such a project. That Landmark is willing to do so is a testament to their belief in our community.
Several years ago Heritage Centre Wellington wanted to designate “heritage districts” in both Fergus and Elora. As the proud owner of 2 (not designated) heritage buildings in this community I attended the meeting(s) and was, again, floored by the vocal opposition to the proposal. So now we sit with UNDESIGNATED buildings that people now want to preserve (or at least are trying to leverage in their opposition the plans put forth by Landmark).
If the Landmark Group owns the houses on Ross Street, and they are not protected by heritage designation, then they are theirs to do with as they desire, which, yes, probably includes demolition. That is just the way that it is. I am not saying progress at any cost, I am saying that in the big scheme of things, it is the price that needs to be paid. Look at the Elora Mill Inn and its associated buildings the way that they stand today, as well as the composition of Ross Street. That is the way you want them to stay?
Opposition to the CIP using heritage concerns is hurting the opportunity that this plan has for greater good. Ultimately, Landmark will do as it pleases with the buildings they own, with or without a CIP. Others in the CIP area may very well NEED the helping hand that this tool offers.
We must also keep in mind that opposition in Elora to the CIP is also affecting our friends in Fergus who are also awaiting the outcome of this program.
The best way to affect change is to get involved. If you are unhappy with the way that Heritage Centre Wellington is functioning, volunteer to join the board. Don’t attack the people who are giving up precious personal time to try and do good.
Finally, I wish to recap what I said when I addressed Council the night of the CIP meeting. 200 Years ago in Elora there was nothing more than a waterfall. Look at it today. It is this way because people embraced change. Furthermore, guess what? We got it right. Elora is consistently rated as one of the top 5 travel destinations in Ontario. The Elora BIA website is one of the most popular in Ontario, with over 1 million unique visits a year. The Province of Ontario loves us!
How can improvement be bad? I believe that Heritage Centre Wellington will do a good job at preserving our built heritage. I believe that a well assembled CIP committee will administer the program in a fair and competent way.
I urge those opposing the CIP to reconsider their stance and look at all the good that can be accomplished by this program, rather than focusing on what they believe to be bad or using it as a mask for other motives.
Sincerely,
Fred Gordon
Fred Gordon