Summer in Newton saw the partial take-down of the derelict public market building at King George and 64th Ave. We're still waiting to see how the developer will be dealing with the rest of the structure which most residents of the neighbourhood say should also meet the business end of a bulldozer.
The Welcome Home project appears to be progressing so will keep you posted on that in the coming weeks. Before I became involved in local issues, nearly 1,000 Newton homeowners came out in force to oppose the project which would see hundreds of former inmates housed in a live/work facility, adjacent to the existing Price Pro residence which houses people recovering from addiction. No one disagrees that a facility like this is useful. No one. The argument is that Newton already has so many correctional and social service type organizations that it is in danger of becoming Surrey's version of Vancouver's downtown eastside.
Newton needs business revitalization. We cannot continue along this path. Simply put, it is not healthy for the community. Every neighbourhood needs a healthy and balanced economic mix if it is to thrive.
Now we hear that there may be yet another homeless shelter in Newton, even though Mayor Watts has promised that Newton will not be the home to any more social services. We need a major economic boost. Newton needs new businesses to set up shop in the neighbourhood. Too many are leaving. We need to look at the long term livability of our community. South Newton needs help. How much longer is the largest community in Surrey (130,000 residents) going to be neglected?
Promises of a revitalized town centre and "Festival Street" are considered by many residents as merely lip service. No follow up has occurred.
Let's get serious and take action while there's still time to make a difference
The Welcome Home project appears to be progressing so will keep you posted on that in the coming weeks. Before I became involved in local issues, nearly 1,000 Newton homeowners came out in force to oppose the project which would see hundreds of former inmates housed in a live/work facility, adjacent to the existing Price Pro residence which houses people recovering from addiction. No one disagrees that a facility like this is useful. No one. The argument is that Newton already has so many correctional and social service type organizations that it is in danger of becoming Surrey's version of Vancouver's downtown eastside.
Newton needs business revitalization. We cannot continue along this path. Simply put, it is not healthy for the community. Every neighbourhood needs a healthy and balanced economic mix if it is to thrive.
Now we hear that there may be yet another homeless shelter in Newton, even though Mayor Watts has promised that Newton will not be the home to any more social services. We need a major economic boost. Newton needs new businesses to set up shop in the neighbourhood. Too many are leaving. We need to look at the long term livability of our community. South Newton needs help. How much longer is the largest community in Surrey (130,000 residents) going to be neglected?
Promises of a revitalized town centre and "Festival Street" are considered by many residents as merely lip service. No follow up has occurred.
Let's get serious and take action while there's still time to make a difference
Thank you to you Jude for helping everyone become more aware of this. Newton has such great potential and the city can not just keep dumping their problems on us. You are right and we do need more commercial business like retail stores and shops and no more large discount warehouses please. I'm ready to shop :o)
ReplyDeleteWe all want to keep our dollars in the 'hood but it's becoming difficult to do so when so many businesses are shutting their doors and moving out of the area.
ReplyDeleteWe need to speak up now. Residents are already calling Newton the 'new Whalley" or Surrey's version of the Vancouver Downtown eastside.