An interesting discussion was taking place on Facebook regarding the proposed downtown Bancroft Development project.
“Do We Really Need All of This?” was one of the hottest topics in the conversations that took place with many contributors making very valid, insightful and at times, purely emotional posts.
What is your opinion?
Have your say – whether you are a regular visitor, cottage owner, year round resident, or simply a passerby of Bancroft’s downtown area. We’d love to hear what you think!
Might be a wise idea to see what other companies might propose as development for the old burg… I doubt this is a charitable operation. Most of what might possibly have rated as ‘Heritage” has been aluminum clad and uglified, on the model of strip malls, and the downtown is perhaps the ugliest in Ontario, sitting in the loveliest location – clearly something needs to be done. But are these the people we want designing the future here? They can’t even manage to get a legible map published in the local paper, if that’s any indication of their planning capabilities.
whats so ugly about Bancroft anyway…..I’ve been to far uglier ,dirtier towns….I quite like it…..naaaaaaaaaaaa
pertaining to the map. it’s only a preliminary design. things can bee added and taken out of it. nothing’s set in stone. that’s why you don’t see a lot of labelling and all that fancy stuff on it. once final drafts have been decided, then I’m sure there will be very legible maps in the paper.
ps: I think this one looked just fine !
EXACTLY!!
It is apparent that Bancroft will turn into a different place. Holding onto the past doesn’t work. There is no real heritage buildings to save any more and what will be of the past will be in a museum. So look to the future and what do we see? What do we want? The fuiure is proabably more Shopper’s drug Marts, but Bancroft is a small place getting too big for its britches. I for one would like to see this much interest in providing money for the hospital beds we are losing. The health care needs to be addressed as part of any plan. Thank God bancroft to me still means the whole area surrounding it, cause I just can’t stand what it is becoming.
I am one of the people who have left Bancroft because of the lack of JOBS. The thing is do we want Bancrofts sole economy based on Tourism? It is a valuable part of it but should not be all of it.What about attracting some industry.(perhaps a wood pellet manufacturing company based out of old G/P Flakeboard) Where is the money for this project comming from and how will it be repaid? The peoples taxes? I still have family in the area and the taxes are high enough for the services provided.
I still call Bancroft my home and I will return to live someday. I do not want this place to be so unrecognizeable that it is somewhere I do not want to return to.
We have friends that live in Gravenhurst, and their comments about the ‘beautification & revitalization’ project that happened at the wharf there boiled down to one gleaming factor: it destroyed what was, in essence, a beautiful town to begin with. It took away that ’small town pride’ and replaced it with something more tourist friendly…and it didn’t attract any more tourists than had been there before. It just made the ones already there feel more ‘at home’. Let’s face it, Bancroft thrives in the summer, and we need tourism $$ for this town to survive. But this is OUR town…not theirs. We should be the ones who feel comfortable in our home.
Without job creation strategies in place to keep Generation X, Y and possibly Z in the area, all this plan seems to be is a way to make Bancorft ‘pretty’ for visitors. Like someone else said, who could afford the condo’s they plan on scattering along the riverfront? You know who. The same ones who have snatched up hundreds of miles of shoreline on our lakes and put up ‘cottages’ very few that live here could ever afford….the visitors.
Does Bancroft need a facelift? You betcha. Do we need a facelife at the expense of changing the way full time residents live and interact with each other simply to make the ‘part-timers’ feel more at home? Not a chance.
Change for the sake of progress is a very good thing. Change for the sake of change is useless. It’s all about a happy median, and being able to find it….
The plan looks pretty good, most of the development is infill, and it focuses the town on the river which is an idea that is long overdue.
My biggest concern would be over who will pay for all of this? What if there are cost overruns? I see some talk of private investors, but with credit tight and real estate getting hammered, it might be tough to find private capital.
It’s great to start off with grand plans, thinking big is good! Now it’s time to look at details, and cost is the biggest detail that needs to be clarified.
If it were not for stores over pricing things that could be bought in Toronto or Belleville even for half the price Bancroft wouldn’t have to rely on tourists to keep it alive.
The only thing I’m worried about is the wild life it’s their home too or have people forgotten that?
And pollution too will it cause more of pollution and litter in our town? That is what concerns me
what things cost double here?
Wow – great thoughtful comments, both positive and negative. All are important. I am inolved with this project as well as our local revitalizations efforts. At Revitalization we recognize that change will come to Bancroft. Some of us mind that change, some embrace it. The fact is that change has already been happening. Bancroft is not the same Bancroft as it was 10 years ago and in tens years it will be different again. I guess the point is – are we, the community, going to be in charge or help direct that change or have it simply happen to us. We have the opportunity now to embrace the future with a eye to the past, reflecting where we have come from as a community. Our historrical heritage. It is our town and with the help and expertise of such companies as are involed in this project, we can make this a better community that hopefully can provide the lifestyles that will keep more of our young people here. At the same time, honour, not change our historical character. That will only happen if we have broad community input and support – like what is happening right here. Thanks for this
i sadly agree andrew i dont think we need all of the crap their talking about because it all seems to revolve around the “tourists” and THEIR needs and THEIR wants……..so they are here what 4 months of the year fully…..what about those of us who are here ALL YEAR ROUND? another person said in a post if the stores in town did not DOUBLE sometimes TRIPLE their pricing just because of the tourists maybe more people who actually live here all year round would spend more money in this town. We dont need the things they are talking about the TOURISTS do and that seems to be all the town cares about….
Very interesting comment George. Our economic future is dwindling fast…Did anyone hear Obama’s speech last night? where is the money best spent?? Great question….this needs to be considered.
Development Projects can be draining on a Community, money and time wize. They can take many years to complete and cost the taxpayer plenty in the long run. Personally I think Bancroft needs more job development for future generations in the area. Not everyone is a Tourist or retired. Judgeing by what is going on in the global economy now, Tourists and retired people will have less disposable income. Money spent on future area job creation is more wisely spent.
Jobs are on the top of my list and have been for years. It has never been easy to find work in Bancroft. However, big developement companys might look at Bancroft differently if it was a nice place to shop and live! You need a place to work and play! It needs to be a town that is social and friendly and inviting. Right now it isnt.
I have lived here for over 25 years and have been hoping at some point this would happen to our little town. I’ve traveled to other towns throughout the states and canada that have spent millions on their downtown hub and always thought Bancroft was a diamond in the ruff. Especially the river front. If it makes sense financially to do this I say its a good start! Big businesses will think that their employees will stay if there is a place to gather after work.
Also, I just got back from a florida golf resort that was literally dyeing, until they built a small shopping village that had shops, restaurants, entertainment on weekends and now it brings in thoughsands of locals – a place to spend time with family and friends – it really put them on the map and I know they dont regret it. It is crazy how simular it looks to the new plans. I think that this project could very well do the same for Bancroft!
So far Im still hopeful and think its a great idea.
We should slow down, give this project a year’s rest and locals more time to absorb it’s possible impacts all around. This town needs jobs more than anything. Investments should create a return for the community. The plan is in my opinion being sold in an aggressive fashion. Surely the developer is not doing this for altruistic reasons.
What;s the hurry? Where will the economy be in a year? If we are going to spend millions lets put people to work. Use lands abutting the river to grow food, build greenhouses to extend the season. This would reduce trucks on the road, provide us with fresh local food and employ locals. Or build small industries which could create finished forest products right here – doors, toys, custom cabinets, etc.
So far, Bancroft doesn’t look like every other cookie cutter town in north America. It is unique. Why not invest in re-establishing our downtown’s original flavour. Why are we in a hurry to copy the Gravenhurst model?
What about designating Bancroft as a world heritage site, a town that refuses to fit into the north American mold of so-called progress. Is the new face of Gravenhurst somehow shielding that town from this economic slump?
We need to think more about the future for the children and not about how we can get money out of tourists…does everybody really want this or is it just because some big hot shot was in town and saw a way to make a quick buck?
Andrew, I’m not sure if you realized, but new stores in town means more job opportunities for students and other people in Bancroft. (which would be quite beneficial to everyone)
I agree Andrew . just something to get some money. This is so retarded.
Well its like somebody wrote on the wall of the group..one street running through town and in the summer it is a bitch trying to get around because of the tourists..there is going to be some outside company coming in and trhey will bring their own crews…its going to lose its home town peace and quiet charm, who is going to afford the $250,000 condos…remember its bancroft..all they need to do is give main street and a few of the other buildings around town a decient face lift not a whole demolish and rebuild.
I disagree…we should be lucky that someone has come in and taken their time to try to help out this town….
Why would anyone want to move their family here to this town the way it is now….?
It is anything but charming….
I agree with Suzanne. There is really no opportunity in Bancroft. No jobs means people just leave. Ask anyone who has left why they did so.. Because they want to work! And what does the town have to offer teenagers?? Nothing!
Well the lumber and logging industry is bad right now. There is not much else in the area.
If this can create 100 jobs then why not.
It will likely bring a change the town needs anyhow.
The down side is, taxes will likely increase. More plows more roads bigger sewer system etc…
I’ve read some of the documentation and attended a meeting. No one has said anything about a “whole demolish and rebuild” Andrew. Am I missing something?
As for “they” and “decent face lift” – sadly (I think) many of the town’s building owners don’t want to spend money on a face lift. And there’s no “they” on this planet that should/would/could pay for someone else’s revitalization.
Plus the outside company has stated that they will not be bringing in their own crews – it isn’t profitable enough to truck in and house crews, trucks and services.
Sigh – we need another meeting…not enough people showed up at the last one I guess to get the word out about what will/won’t be happening if this goes through…
…pertaining to the map. It’s only a preliminary design. Things can be added and taken out of it.
nothing’s set in stone. that’s why you don’t see a lot of labelling and all that fancy stuff on it. once final drafts have been decided, then I’m sure there will be very legible maps in the paper.
ps: I think this one looked just fine!
Just got back from a visit to Picton, Ont.
It now has facade improvements to the front and sides of many older buildings with great color combinations, nicely painted window trim, color coordination among different stores, several new townhouses and stores, a rebuilt motel on the waterfront, new signage on the street corners and on most stores.
It really looks interesting, very artsy, lots of new restaurants and galleries. A bustling community for locals and tourists.
Bancroft at this point pales in comparison.
Yes we really do need all of this as stated in the Topic Line .
I hope this project goes ahead. I would love to walk along a nice boardwalk by the river. Perhaps have a coffee in a bistro. Visit a nice museum and learn more about our logging and mineral history. Visit more galleries. Spend less of my money in Belleville or Peterborough and know more opportunities are being generated for those looking for work and work related experience. Attract more talented, knowledgeable people to the area who in turn will bring more opportunities and interest to a great little community that unfortunately is presently stuck in a slow downward decline.
I believe a scaled down version of the proposal would better suit – pick one or two main needs that serves both the full time and part time residents eg. tear down IGA and rebuild for town offices, library, chamber etc all in one easily accessible area with ample parking. then refurbish the buildings they occupied for new businesses at affordable prices or modify for subsidized housing in the downtown for seniors. the sites are excellent locations for people needing to walk or cab for groceries and such. build a heritage center, create a new park area along the river near the library and offices – that’s a start. small, manageable projects to start just like revitalization has been doing. Also finding it hard to believe that the town wanted to dissolve that group when all of the preliminary research given to these development firms was completed years in advance by revitalization! Nothing like letting everyone involved put heart and soul into their projects and then yanking the rug out from under….
another note – we can pay this greg black $XX,000 (has this been fully disclosed?) to plan what’s ‘best?’ for our town yet we can’t get a small section of road paved on 62 south. makes no sense to me.