Raise the Hammer

THe HWDSB is collecting responses via their website until Feb 23: http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/aboutus/feedback/...

They list their objectives as:

• Objective # 1 Consolidate operations, to the greatest extent possible, in a seamless place of work and learning.
• Objective # 2 Develop a welcoming, convenient, accessible, and inclusive environment that mirrors the diverse and evolving constituencies served by the Board.
• Objective # 3 Provide a public venue for the celebration of student, staff, and community achievements.
• Objective # 4 Plan for the accommodation of wide-ranging learner and support services offered by the Board and community agencies.
• Objective # 5 Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through building design. Anticipate organizational change through flexible accommodations.
• Objective # 6 Contribute to the vitality of the Education Centre’s surroundings and stand as a civic landmark.

My comments are as follows:

The objectives sound great! Unfortunately, your plan to move fulfills NONE of them.

• Objective #1: Please consider consolidating your operations at the site already gifted to you by previous generations of Hamilton citizens.

• Objective #2: A convenient, accessible and inclusive environment has to be convenient, accessible and inclusive for every citizen - not just those who drive. You need to be located within walking/transit distance of code red neighbourhoods.

• Objective #3: A public space needs to be centrally located so that all have an equal opportunity to take advantage of it.

• Objective #4: Again, support services are useless if the people who need them can't physically get to your space. SUpport service availability should not depend on learners having ready access to a car.

• Objective 5: You have a functioning building that was given to you - and designed for future expansion. Using and expanding the current structure is the ONLY green solution available to you. Selling it for demolition and building a new facility is NOT green, regardless of whether you plant grass on the roof or not.

• Objective #6: No civic landmarks in any city are located in the suburbs surrounded by asphalt parking. Your site is not even visible from the nearest major road! I can just see your website directions now... "take the linc to the mall, look on your left, we're behind the mark's work wearhouse"

There are more sections in which you can leave comments... I won't go into further detail but I'll sign off with an image which I hope motivates you to write something - this is the location they are envisioning as a civic landmark:

Comment edited by seancb on 2012-02-02 10:19:55