The committee formed to help preserve the historic Ecclesiastical District National Historic Site in St. John’s says a heritage draft by-law proposed by the city is being hurried through.
The committee—which represents The Kirk, Gower Street United, and the Basilica Heritage Foundation—calls the draft by-law “seriously flawed” and says there is no good reason why the city should be rushing the process.
The committee is opposed to a proposed ten-story condo development immediately across from Gower Street United and adjacent to The Kirk.
The group says it is not against any and all development, but it is opposed to a high-density, modernist tower in the heart of the historic district.
The committee says the downtown is a valuable asset and has the potential to become a World Heritage Site. It says if the current direction of the city is not altered, the economic potential will be lost.
