PrimeConvoy said "Those are all serious and valid concerns. And, just because you don't see anything happening with improving the downtown, doesn't mean it isn't happening behind closed doors, solutions don't happen overnight.
For example, to make the area more attractive you MUST deal with the transient population in order to help people feel more comfortable and safe. With the blue door project and the implementation of a housing coordinator, council has made it their mission to improve the conditions of downtown. However, most of that doesn't make the front page, or your twitter feed.
As it relates to "Building Codes", or as the case in Brandon (Manitoba Building Code, and the Manitoba Energy Code) the City only has so much power. These are National Codes adopted by the province with amendments, under the authority of the Buildings and Mobile Homes Act. They can go ahead and make them stricter than National standards, but it illegal for a civic government to introduce codes that provide an alternative that lower standards.
Don't forget, that the City introduced by-laws relaxing requirements for existing buildings, and removed requirements for automatic fire suppression in small residential buildings. In addition, they have dropped the requirement to renovate an entire building if the cost of the renovation exceeds 50% of the building's value. All these changes have made it more affordable to not only build in Brandon, but to perform upgrades to existing buildings.
For the past 2 years, City Council has announced a program that pays for the majority of the installation of a sump pit and back water valve in your existing home. Council has made it a priority to help home-owners protect their homes in the event of heavy rain events...something that is growing in frequency given climate change.
So, the City has already dropped some "Brandon" rules and introduced incentives to homeowners, you just aren't aware of them.
Edited by PrimeConvoy, 2022-03-29 10:18:07"
1.)
While I more or less understand your reply, what I am talking about is not lowering building codes (at least from a safety perspective). If anything, it's more about taking a different approach.
Though I will admit that I didn't know that most of these city planning standards are top-down oriented (though I can certainly understand why).
2.)
It's good to hear that downtown is indeed on the radar. I understand that issue is a complex one since being transient is often a symptom of something else (the 2 most obvious reasons being addiction and mental health-related).
The city can provide housing, but it will only go so far as long as the mental health system in this province and nation remains chronically underfunded.
3.) I agree with Adam's take.
Looking at a national level, companies have had to make allowances for competition after large market shifting mergers (think Sobeys offloading stores after the Safeway Merger, or Bell offloading customers after the BellMTS merger).
If it can't happen nationally, then why locally. After all, there is no market more vulnerable to monopolistic practices than that at the local leval.
Edited by Simonwalcal, 2022-04-02 08:34:33