Mr. & Mrs.
King, Oct.
19/78 re
‘ring road’

October 23rd, 1978.

AND THAT His Worship the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to
execute the said Agreement on behalf of the City and affix the Corporate

Seal thereto.

Carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

From Mr. and Mrs. R.E. King, October 19th, 197& expressing their
opposition to the proposed "ring. road! along the east bank of the Coquitlam
River from Marpole Avenue to McAllister Avenue.

Alderman Ranger spoke in reply to the letter and advised that in
his opinion Port Coquitlam was now at a crossroads because the Marathon
Realty Development did not take place as was expected and as there is a
major shopping centre being built on the City's borders access to the
downtown area is essential if the City's merchants are to encourage people
to come into the Port Coquitlam area to shop. He further stated that
contrary to some opinions that had been expressed the City's downtown
area was not dying and he pointed to the fact that right now there are
three buildings under construction and he stated that the downtown can
continue to be a viable entity; it simply needs proper access. He stated
that the access road concept had been approved by the City's consultants
and since the City had asked the Provincial Government to consider
building the Court House in Port Coquitlam there was an obligation upon
the City to provide proper access into the area. He stated that commercial
development must be given a high priority as the downtown cannot long remain
a sleepy hollow along the Coquitlam River. Alderman Thompson then referred

to the Kings' comments concerning the extension of Lions Park and stated

that extension of the park area was not a viable possibility due to the

intersection of the river bank by the railway. Alderman Mabbett, however,
advised that the PoCo Trail would not be affected and that it may even be
enhanced by the construction of the "ring road'. Alderman Laking stated
that in his opinion commercial development should not be given priority
over industrial development and he stated that in his opinion one good
industrial development would provide more benefit to the City than a great
many commercial developments in the downtown area. Alderman Traboulay
suggested that Mr. and Mrs. King be invited to attend a Planning and
Zoning Committee meeting in order that they may be further apprised of

the City's plans for the 'ring road' area.