Let's keep the farm green
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor:

The Mi'kmaq Confederacy might be congratulated on the ambition of its plan to build, operate and maintain multiple government office buildings, two extensive apartment developments, an arts and leadership centre, a children's museum, a seniors assisted living centre, an inn, a restaurant, niche retail and professional offices and galleries on the Charlottetown experimental farm.

However, its plans do not respect the spirit of place of this property. Not one of the above-mentioned businesses has any relationship to the significant cultural, agricultural and horticultural heritage of the farm nor do they relate in any way to the character of the communities which surround the farm or the wishes and needs of their citizens.

The construction of these enterprises necessitates new streets and other infrastructure. The Mi'kmaq Confederacy plan calls for 470 new parking spots on the property in addition to the 160 that are already there. The beautiful stretch of road between Belvedere Avenue and Ravenwood which has maintained much of its 19th century character would be lined with parking lots and buildings. How can any level of responsible government allow this to happen to a property that is such an important part of the identity of our capital city? Could another site or sites be found for all of this construction?

With spirit of place in mind, let us as a community do everything in our power to keep the farm green and publicly owned.

Connie MacKay-Carr,

Charlottetown
11/05/09