How Spending Quality Time with Bowser Can Help Fight Crime....

A New Way to Fight Crime

Lessons from Detroit

Surrey has its share of challenges, but there is also opportunity and tremendous potential here. 

 Some inspiration from Detroit 

and 

The Project for Public Spaces

What This Place Really Needs.....

 News came today that the highly contentious slot machines at the  Newton Bingo Centre will be removed by May 15. 

Newton Slots to Go 

This is welcome news for all those who care about the health, liveability and economic viability of our neighbourhood.  

The question now is --- What will  happen to that property? Several tenants have had to move out of the aging retail complex and now we hear plans for redevelopment of the entire complex may be on hold.
 Perhaps  the owners could consider this.  That  the time has come to bid farewell to the old Bingo Hall too. It's had its day. Yes, we know-It probably still brings in a nice cash flow. 
But why run a business that is so unpopular in the area and one that caters to such a small segment of the city's population. Why continue  when there is the opportunity for something so much better and one with the potential for greater profit?

What about a total makeover? 
Total. 
Makeover.

 We can envision a brand new retail complex with the kind of amenities south Newton residents are clamouring for. The King George corner at 70th Ave. may not exactly scream affluence,

 but remember ....Newton is Huge! 

Newton contains Panorama Ridge, Sullivan Station, Northridge, Panorama Northwoods and the booming Sullivan Heights neighbourhood, home to thousands of  young families who have reluctantly been travelling elsewhere to buy what they can't find here. Not yet anyway. 
Businesses such as Whole Foods, Choices, Thrifty's Foods, Starbucks, Kin's Farm Market,Marble Slab Creamery Cob's Breads, Clancy's  7 Seas Fish Market and many more would find an enthusiastic crowd of shoppers if they were to locate here.  

Not to mention the 70,000 drivers that  daily stream along the King George.  I'll state that figure again. 70 thousand drivers.

There's money  ( a ton of it) to be made on those commuting to and from White Rock and South Surrey. 

 One thing we know for sure. To make that happen, that gaming centre needs to go. 
 Sometimes  the smartest move is for a business to wipe the slate clean, get some innovative thinkers onboard and create something that everyone feels good about. And when people feel good about a company, guess what happens?
 They spend money.
 Lots of it.

Newton Business Improvement Association

 We've waited a long time for this! The Newton BIA will do great things for business and the community. Here's the link with full information. Subscribe for the latest updates!

Newton Business Improvement Association

The Official Guide to Tactical Urbanism

Tactical Urbanism

What it is. What it Can Do.

The Official Guide to Tactical Urbanism

Panorama Ridge, Sullivan Station, Boundary Park and more.

A little history of Newton.... 

Newton is currently one of Surrey’s six “town centres.” Its present boundaries are approximately Scott Road in the west, 160 Street in the east, 48 Avenue in the south, and 88 Avenue in the north. Newton now incorporates a few of Surrey’s heritage communities, such as Sullivan, Strawberry Hill, and Colebrook/Panorama Ridge. Newton was not always so big. It used to really only refer to the area around the present intersection of King George Highway and 72 Avenue.

Newton is named after settler E.J. Newton who, in 1886, settled at what is now 72 Avenue and 124 Street. A few other early settlers in the region, but further east, were the Johnstons and the Sullivans in the area that came to be known as Sullivan.

1909, the King and Farris Lumber Company erected a large mill near Roebuck Road (132 Street) and Burke Road (76 Avenue), one of the first mills to be completely electrically operated. Logging took place mostly from 72 Avenue north to 88 Avenue in the Green Timbers area. It was here that King and Farris ran the largest standard gauge logging railway in Surrey, which connected to the new B.C. Electric Railway (BCER) in 1910. Surrey’s logging industry shut down around 1930 due to lack of timber.

The BCER stimulated Newton’s growth and helped to establish the corner of 72 Avenue and 136 Street (King George Highway) as a town centre. This was the location of the BCER Newton Stop. Newton School was built at this intersection (present day Petro Canada Gas Station) and opened in 1914. The opening of Lew Jack’s general store also helped to establish King George Highway and Newton Road (72 Avenue) as the community’s centre. This intersection continues as Newton’s core today. 

A Must Read from blogger Laila Yuile

 I am compelled to share this outstanding post from Huffington Post BC/ 24 Hours Vancouver columnist  and blogger Laila Yuile.
 She gets it bang on. Laila has done her research and knows her subject matter well.

A Must Read blog post from political blogger and South Newton resident Laila Yuile.

Dreaming of Trader Joe's Panorama?

Well, the old public market building is still standing, begging for some attention and a new life, or maybe just begging to be put out of its misery.  This year marks the 16th anniversary of its closure, meaning a child born  the same year this place shut down is now old enough to drive.

This property seems to attract an unusual type of developer. One who doesn't seem to make any effort to actually do something. Maybe it'll be flipped again?  Wouldn't it be great if some deep pocketed developer with  true community pride made the current owner an offer he couldn't refuse? 

current condition of  building

So much potential. A public market can work here. It HAS worked here. It IS the right location. 

Way, way back in 1986, an even older  funkier market at this corner was thriving. It was our semi-rural community's "third place". The problems came when the owner decided to construct the place above and dramatically increase the rent to rates that were equal to what the West Edmonton Mall was getting. Vendors  couldn't  afford that, and the place died a sad, slow death.

Now, with the explosion in population in the Newton area, it's the perfect time to have a new option for Sullivan Heights and Panorama. The neighbourhood is booming with young families who love shopping at stores like Choices, Whole Foods and a cross border favourite Trader Joe's.

Interior still shows remnants of past glory days

Speaking of Trader Joe's, when I was at the TJ store in Bellingham WA. yesterday, I looked around and thought, wouldn't the old market place on 64th & King George be perfect for  BC's first Trader Joe's location?

There's a  good reason Costco  chose  this area  for its only Surrey store.  Newton is the centre of Surrey. Literally.  Of  course, TJ's most likely won't be popping up here anytime soon. 

But we can always dream right?  

Just picture this in your neighbourhood!

Just spotted this story on Twitter. Looks like we're not the only ones to be dreaming of a Trader Joe's opening in the neighbourhood!

 Hey Joe

Newton Residents Still Fearful, Furious and Frustrated...

Update on Newton.
 Yesterday, a few of us gathered at The Grove, the little forested area near the Newton Recreation Centre and Arena. We met to share ideas and to brainstorm on ways to make the space a more inviting and vibrant place for everyone. So many creative ideas were brought forth and it was heart warming to see many Surrey residents out in the cold and very wet weather.

Tomorrow, March 10th, the city is holding a public hearing on the Official Community Plan including plans for its town centres. Newton must be given its fair shake. Residents here have been very patient, but there's a limit to the number of times they will put up with continually being passed over for improved amenities and public facilities.

Large part of venue for Newton Festival 2013 was held here-
What does this say about the level of respect the 140K residents of Newton get?
Their festival held in a back parking lot.

Newton Arena- Teen Skate Cancelled

Cloverdale Recreation Centre-Gorgeous artwork inside a multi-use facility.
The families of Newton, an area that includes Panorama Ridge, Sullivan Station, North Ridge and Sullivan Heights deserve the same calibre of facilities.

Notice board in disrepair outside Newton Arena.

No More "Newton Next"- demand Newton Now

original post from Jan 2, 2014

It's difficult to write about  the murder of Julie Paskall  outside the Newton Arena and Rec Centre on Sunday December 29, without getting emotional. This was the worst kind of crime. An innocent victim beaten to death, most likely by one of the many desperate addicts who now frequent the area.

I moved to South Newton  27 years ago, back when it was still a semi-rural community, with abundant wildlife and babbling brooks everywhere. Newton had a small town feel to it. It was peaceful and safe. It's hard to recognize the place today. It doesn't seem that long ago that I accompanied my now grown-up son to swimming  and skating lessons at the Newton Rec Centre, never fearing once for our safety. That has all changed.

In light of this week's event, we need some answers from Mayor Watts on the ongoing neglect of Newton, the heart of Surrey.

 Why did Mayor Watts choose to vote NO against the South Surrey casino last January, knowing that this meant the existing gaming facility would remain in Newton along with slot machines. There could not be a worse location.

Why has the city of Surrey ignored the calls to enforce their own "unsightly property " bylaw and not demolished the former public market building which has remained vacant  for 16 years?  It has been described as a hobo jungle and is a haven for drug users, dealers and squatters. There is a process in place to remove buildings like this and charge the costs back to the land owners along with property taxes.

For 16 long years, anyone driving along King George near 64th Avenue was greeted with this eyesore in Sullivan Heights.

Why were there no police foot patrols in the neighbourhood where Julie was attacked? With a community policing  station  only 2 blocks away, in a neighbourhood known to be sketchy?  Just two weeks before Julie Paskall was attacked, one local paper had a front page story on  the increase in crime in the area.  No action was taken. Nothing.

One of two lights out at Newton Arena entrance
where Julie Paskall was attacked and killed.

Why were several lights out at the entrance to the arena on the night Julie Paskall was assaulted? Could something as simple as lighting maintenance have saved her life?

Why can't Surrey get a handle on the explosion of unauthorized rental suites in the city? These suites are often rented by a transient population in what should be single family home neighbourhoods. Home owners are not being held accountable for renting multiple suites in contravention of the city's own bylaw. This needs to be addressed. Perhaps a forum on how to be a good landlord?   Suites and the City? No one objects to one in-law suite, but when we have 6000 sq. ft. homes being built on tiny lots, this is not an extended family living situation. Let's get real. These are multi-unit apartment buildings. Why isn't there real action on flophouses masquerading as 'recovery' facilities, an issue that has been allowed to grow unmanageable  and is in need of immediate and meaningful solutions.

Why do the powers that be in Surrey, continually put themselves in the position of needing to fix problems that by their own decisions they helped create?

 In the coming days and weeks, Dianne Watts needs to make some important decisions for the future of her city.
 The writer of this blog has been a supporter of Mayor Watts-voted for her in every election. I think I was her 6th follower on Twitter.  And for the last 9 years my spouse and I have owned rental properties  in the City Centre (Whalley) area. We believed in and supported the mayor's drive to revitalize downtown Surrey. That area needed help, but not at the expense of another town centre.  Pushing the problems south along the King George has been a disaster. A Downtown Eastside for Surrey. And, with a mother who lives in the  tonier Morgan Heights neighbourhood in South Surrey, I observe the city from north to south on a daily basis. Big differences.

We don't have all the answers, but now is the time for action and solutions.
 We have been told "Newton Next" for too long. What do residents really want to hear? How about "Newton Now".

Let's get to work. First for Julie Paskall and her grieving family, and then for everyone who calls Surrey home.

Brainstorming at The Grove....

A few of us braved the cold damp weather Saturday for a brainstorming session at The Grove,  the treed area adjacent to the Newton Wave Pool and arena.
 There were lots of great ideas for turning this space into a more user friendly 'commons' some permanent, others just for a day.
Think "Jason Roberts" and his Better Block recommendations for Newton.

 Imagine a canopy of twinkling lights like the night sky hung high in the trees, a giant chess board, flags strung from trees, kids art projects displayed.   Maybe a farmers market, and cafe. Food trucks? Food always brings people together.
Those are just a few of dozens of creative suggestions tossed about.

 So nice to see our community stepping up ! Stay tuned, this is just the beginning.

Brainstorming at The Grove

These trees are gorgeous. We're lucky to have them in an urban setting!

Imagine this place full of "shiny happy people!"

This mural is a great jumping off point. Let's fill Newton with big bright splashes of colour.
Paint the town red and blue, purple and yellow too. We can make murals "our Newton thing".  

Chess board here?

This boy has the right idea. Already naming the place The Grove!

Artist at Work!

Highways to Boulevards. Retrofitting the King George...

 It's been renamed a boulevard but The King George still looks and acts like a highway.
Retrofitting the George  is one important step toward transforming Surrey into a world class city. Not just in the City Centre area, but in Newton as well.
 Great examples in the video below, particularly from the 7:00 minute mark onward.

 In Newton we need shorter blocks on the King George. Between 64th and 68th Avenues there are no crosswalks and people die because the temptation to  cross the insanely wide road is just too much. Who wants to walk a half-mile just to use the designated crosswalk?

Newton Now- Rapid Transit for the King George.

Surrey has not be given a fair shake in the rapid transit battle in Metro Vancouver. 
 Residents south of the Fraser need to speak up now and demand that rapid transit, specifically along the King George into Newton be a top priority. 
On Thursday, Mar 6th,  please attend the forum at SFU Surrey and have your voice heard. 
Details on the link.

Rapid Transit for the King George