It looks like the intersection of Bank and Somerset – closed for almost six weeks now – has fallen off the City’s radar. These are photos of a couple of the trash receptacles at and around the intersection this morning.
The century-old Ritz Hotel will be demolished. Call me a cynic, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a shiny new parking lot spring up there, since the president of the company that owns the property also happens to be the president of Capital Parking.
I wonder if there’s any chance the mural can be preserved or relocated?
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A parking lot…I really hope not. That corner deserves something better. Perhaps your readers have some ideas.
I’m pretty sure that guy also owns the car wash on Catherine St. That would be a classy development for that corner, especially combined with a nice big parking lot.
That’s an excellent idea Dave. I’m *positive* we could all put our heads together and come up with at least ten ideas better than a combo parking lot/car wash.
Like: A Combo Arts & Crafts Drop-In Centre and Materials Swap
Or ?????
tell joni mitchell about it. she’s canadian isn’t she?
“…. big yellow taxi…”
it would be a shame to lose the mural
Joni started out in Saskatchewan I think.
I’m surprised nobody had any suggestions for what could replace the Ritz Hotel on that corner. I’m not sure I can come up with nine more ideas on my own.
How about an artists’ collective, with classrooms, studios and a gallery? And it could have a drop-in studio too, for when people need a quick creativity fix.
Any other ideas?
Hmm, if the guy who owns that building also owns parking lots and car washes, I wouldn’t think he’d be the sort to want something that wasn’t a sure-fire money-maker. I night be wrong but parking lot kinda guys aren’t usually arts supporters. Maybe the city could be persuaded to buy it? Right now, I’d think it might be a big sink-hole for money, what with the foundation itself being rubble. It isn’t always about the money but if it cost a million to fix and never recoups that money, I can’t think of anyone who’d be willing to sink that money into it. Even philanthropists have to get something out of it.
[…] And here’s an interesting little tidbit. As I was walking to work through the intersection this morning, I overheard a nearby couple mention the possibility that the property might become an Arts venue. As far as I know, the only place this suggestion has been raised is in the comments on this blog. It seems a bit far-fetched that they would have heard it here, but I suppose it’s possible. Does anyone know of any other discussions taking place about possible future uses for the property at Bank and Somerset? […]