How important is Built Heritage to Victoria?
Built heritage is very important as it illuminates our origins as a city, helps to reinforce the identity of our community, has numerous economic benefits, instils a sense of collective pride and provides a harmonious blending of the past and the present. I am in favour of enforcing the existing city bylaw on abandoned buildings through the Abandoned Properties Bylaw. Rundown buildings reflect badly on the neighbourhood and are a liability threat to the health and safety of our citizens. Further, buildings can lose their heritage value if allowed to degenerate to an irreparable state. The wellbeing and the future of the Janion Building must be resolved – once restored this building could be a gem – and its restoration one of the last pieces of the puzzle in the revitalization of the old town area.
