08-29-2020, 01:22 AM
(08-28-2020, 11:53 PM)taylortbb Wrote:(08-28-2020, 12:09 PM)tomh009 Wrote: Seriously, this is still a good thing. We want "destinations" in DTK: a sleep clinic is an example of that, a specialized facility that people will come to DTK for, even if it's only a relatively small number of people.
I think having services like that in DTK is absolutely good, I just think it's an unfortunate use of ground floor space. As it is a specific destination, one doesn't wander in to a sleep clinic while passing by, it could easily be on the second floor.
I think it's sort of like when people bemoan the frontage that banks take up on King St. It's not that banks in DTK aren't an essential service, it's just that they don't really need more street presence than a door.
A sleep clinic, or a bank, is certainly much better than a vacant unit. But unless they focus on landing some landmark tenants it won't be DTK's version of the Bauer buildings.
While I generally agree with this (because I like exciting shops!), I don't feel that was ever realistic in the short term. Going back to the point I was making earlier in this thread, Victoria is such an unpleasant street to walk on. I specifically go out of my way to avoid it, and judging from pedestrian traffic I see there, others feel the same way. In my mind, this makes it a location for people to drive to (unless the business is directly serving the condo folks, like a convenience store), and thus not really part of DTK.
I especially feel this way because there are much more walkable, core storefronts in DTK that are sitting empty. This combination of being mildly inconvenient for both drivers (why not just go to a suburban strip mall instead of "downtown"?) and pedestrians (why not walk somewhere more pleasant?) means that it has to be something that people need like a sleep clinic or a bank.