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Centennial Square to become a “living room” for downtown condo dwellers in the absence of public park space:

By Mary Fowles
Dec 18, 2024


The redesign of Centennial square is not about the revitalization of our city’s civic gathering spot.

The approved changes are directly linked to an increase residential development in the downtown core – condo developments which have already been approved, as well as several that are proposed for the future.

This is stated directly in the design firm Dialog’s proposal. Page seven of proposal is titled “Downtown Growth” and it states:

“The City of Victoria is undergoing a transformation, and Centennial Square exists within a larger context of relevant policy. The Square should align with these nearby changes.”

The proposal doesn’t say what the “larger context of relevant policy” is; however, the plan includes a diagrams which delineates the “5-min walking radius” – which they call a “walkshed” – of our Centennial Square, and pinpoints the location of existing, approved and proposed developments situated within the boundary.

This plan – which, of note, has already been approved by COV without any public consultation on its current rendering, and approved even in the wake of fierce and broad opposition from numerous well-respected groups and individuals –goes on to read: 

“The increased residential population downtown means the Square will need to serve the daily open space needs of a growing population. Smaller condo units will require a public ‘living room’ that operates throughout the day.”

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Centennial square is home to several protected trees, an important historical fountain and unique monoliths – all of which the city intends to tamper with or destroy.

This is not a revitalization plan; it is a plan to effectively change the use and purpose of the square to accommodate downtown condo development.   

The approved plan is going to cost 11.5 million dollars;  4.5 million is coming from provincial public funds.

None of this plan is being funded by the developers; it’s entirely funded by tax payers who had virtually no meaningful input into this design, and have been vocally opposed to it.

Why aren’t the developers integrating their own green space and children’s play into their design plans for their properties? Why  are Victoria’s tax paying voting citizens instead shouldering these costs, and at the same time having  to sacrifice our city’s civic core, our history and perfectly healthy and protected trees slated for removal.

Most troubling and upsetting is that the approved plan calls for the destruction of a majestic, healthy 50+ year old Sequoia. This is a bylaw-protected tree which is beloved by citizens.

This tree deserves a robust protection plan. Instead, only plans for its imminent destruction have been contemplated.

In the design firm’s rendering of the square, the heritage monoliths which have adorned our civic core since the 60s are drawn as high rises.

Resource:

Centennial Square Revitalization Project_Concept Design – Dialog Report.pdf