Richmond’s reputation as an over-built suburban mess just took a glorious swerve for the better with the city’s purchase of the Garden City lands to create an urban farm.
Smug Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland have a lot to learn. We’re going to have a world-class model of enlightened urban agriculture right across the river. Straw hats off to you, Richmond.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/86904027.html#comment-38688741
The Save Garden City community in Richmond and beyond it will be happy if your optimism is justified, David. However, the powerful Pave Garden City forces see the sale of the Garden City Lands to Richmond as an opportunity for them too. There is a long hard struggle ahead. To follow along and perhaps join in, visit the Richmond’s Garden City Lands blog.
May I submit your excellent comment regarding the purchase of the Carden City lands to the “letter to the editor” section of the Richmond Review and the Richmond News?
Sure Yvonne. I heard from Harold Steves that there’s quite a conversation going on in Richmond about the deal…engaging people who had not shown any interest previously, so that’s probably a good thing, yes?
Harold also said both papers came out in favour of the deal. And that the 7-2 City Council vote to make the purchase was a big shift when compared to an earlier 8-1 vote for development.
Just goes to show, persistence and a good idea can win out in the end.