Happy 145th Birthday Canada! You don't look a day over 144!

Well, the kids are out of school so I guess summer really is here! Taking  the next few days off  so here's hoping you all have a happy and safe long weekend.
Surrey always puts on a great Canada Day party, and this year is no exception.
 Check out all the activities and stellar Canadian musical line-up for Surrey's Canada Day Bash  !

Remember, stay safe- don't drink and drive ( or boat) and take transit wherever you can .
Enjoy!

Save it or start with fresh clean slate?

Here's a bit of news on the public market property at 64th and King  George in  South Newton- (click on link for full details)

Looks like the owner is planning to tear down the "bridge" section of the structure. 

That's the part you see in the top photo.  Most of you say take the whole thing down and start from scratch. I tend to agree! Building bigger doesn't mean better!

A Return to a Walkable Neighbourhood?

There's a growing trend in some forward thinking communities  toward creating a neighbourhood that encourages walking first, driving last.

 According to this intriguing article in the NY Times, people are willing to pay more for homes that offer this option. 

Newton still waiting for Revitalization

Still no word on  plans for the former public market corner in Newton. The property has huge potential for a community centered development  but Newton -Panorama and Sullivan Heights residents aren't seeing anything concrete happening yet.

Promises have been made to revitalize parts of Newton and create a "New Town" but no timelines are given. 

When will Newton get its turn in the spotlight? 

Surrey Public Market building King George and 64th Ave

Farmers Market Season Begins! Plus a new surprise for Newton -Panorama !

Surrey Urban Market    

The Season Begins!

Like many of you , I eagerly await the  arrival of local farmers markets .  

I love seeing all the luscious veggies and fruit,  smelling the fresh baked bread  and other handmade goodies.  

It's also a great way to try new products from  local artisans and craftspeople. Last year I discovered a line of homemade body lotions and soaps  that are divine!

Surrey 's Urban Market opens this Wednesday. I often don't get a chance to make it to the City Centre location, but when I do I have come home  with a bounty !

That's why I am THRILLED that Surrey Urban Market will be closer to home at Surrey City Hall every other Thursday from 11-2pm. 

As you know, ReNewton began with a public awareness campaign to encourage the new owner of the former Public Market site at King George and 64th to bring back the once loved public market. The original one back in the 80s was the best!

I hope that  South Newton -Panorama- Sullivan  residents will support this new location to show that a permanent market can work in our community!

From the  folks at  the Surrey Urban Market: 

For the past three years we've tested out a smaller version of our full market at Surrey City Hall. We are ready to make it official and starting in late June, we will be set up in Surrey's City Hall every other Thursday from 11 am - 2 pm. The market is open to the public - just park free in the City Hall visitor parking lots. We'll have 4-5 stalls featuring produce, fruits and prepared goods

Should our wooded areas be saved or developed?

About a week ago I received a notice that an area  close to my home may be bulldozed to make room for a residential development .
 The owner of the property, currently all wooded with lots of wildlife and next to a salmon spawning stream, wants to change the zoning to build houses on small lots.
In our neighbourhood, this will most assuredly become houses turned into mini apartments, often without the owners themselves living on the premises .
Should some developments simply be turned down for the greater good of the neighbourhood and environment?  
Do we create more housing at all costs? Your thoughts?

Mini apartments on your cul de sac?

The city of Surrey is having a tough time policing  thousands of illegal suites.
Many houses are being converted entirely to rental units without the owner living on the premises. 
This is in violation of the law that states one suite only.
Here's the latest from the Surrey Leader
http://www.surreyleader.com/news/155958045.html

What would YOU like to see in South Newton?

Just thinking about  some of the established businesses that would be welcomed with open arms into South Newton....
 Shopped at Kin's Farm Market yesterday but had to drive way across town. I'd love to see them set up a location in the neighbourhood.
What would be some of your picks? Let ReNewton ( and them) know!

Latest on Newton Casino Plans

The 7093 King George Blvd. property has had a long and troubled history. In 2009, Boardwalk Gaming promised a $25-million investment that would see a revitalized mall and community policing station in exchange for a lucrative zoning change that would allow slot machines at Newton Square  Bingo Country. The rezoning was in violation of Surrey’s existing gaming policy, but it passed on a five-to-four vote. Despite questionable politics,Newton Casino Plans go ahead

Where have we heard this before??

So the city is now going to focus on Newton. Bravo.  We are all waiting to see what happens and when. Have heard this all before and seen the pretty pictures with the canopies yada yada. Forgive  the cynicism. It’s just that we have ALL  been waiting for this for far too long.

Stay tuned… and keep those fingers crossed.

http://www.surreyleader.com/news/149698505.html

Save it or Scrap it???

 There’s talk  lately about how many of you in the neighbourhood  HATE, really hate, this building.  The problem is that if this thing were torn down, the new owner would not be able to build a similar sized structure on the property as the creek setbacks have changed.   So…. is a bigger building necessarily  a better building?   People are saying that they associate this structure with decline and decay and would rather see it scrapped. As an owner it’s a tough call. I think I might be inclined to  junk the whole thing and start with a fresh clean slate, and apparently you do too.

It’s all about the corner! The corner store, the corner deli, the corner cafe….

Lately have been watching  videos  about ‘what makes a city great’

One of the best to speak on  this topic  was the late  Jane Jacobs.

This video is well worth a few minutes of your time. What an eye-opener!

Enjoy.     Jane Jacobs on Community

Pop- Up Park for City Centre. Great idea But when is it Newton’s turn??

City Centre continues to receive lots of goodies from the city. Look at this fabulous POP-Up Park on the link.

Meanwhile  Southeast Newton languishes.

What is it going to take before attention is paid to the decline of South Newton specifically the King George corridor between 64th and 76th avenues?

Not just lip service.

Real attention  followed by concrete action. Newton  residents deserve more than to be the recipients of  Whalley’s darker side. You can’t keep pushing the problem down into this community. Wonder how South Surrey would feel about having Newton’s  problems.

This is not good for Newton and it’s not good for Surrey.

Let’s get some love for Newton going on here.

http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/10971.aspx