The Evolution of the Beacon

Voice from the past

By Jim Gerwing

The James Bay News, a forerunner of the Beacon, celebrated its third birthday with the July 1976 issue. It came out with an entirely new look. Printed on newsprint, the monthly paper could now distribute 6000 copies instead of the 3000 of the first three years. The new format allowed for larger print, limited colour, and a greater variety of fonts.

In those early years the most pressing issues receiving almost monthly coverage were the development of the James Bay Community School, the New Horizons, and the Community Project. Almost every issue carried articles about zoning. People at City Hall were upset by residents of James Bay, who were finding ways to oppose the ambitions of developers and real estate agents who were gobbling up single family homes to build more condos and apartments and changing the character of James Bay.

Resistance to change is a normal human reaction, to be sure. However, the people here were more concerned with the methods being used to effect changes. They wanted a mechanism in place where they could have a voice in the direction and extent of the zoning changes.

James Bay had gone from being the most desirable location for upscale homes for prominent citizens in the nineteenth century to falling into decay as the downtown area developed. Residents watched in dismay as businesses disappeared and some grand old houses fell to the wrecking balls. They wanted to halt the trend of spot zoning of highrises beside worn-out substandard housing. They wanted planned development. They seemed not to be getting that from City Hall.

The need to protect the character of James Bay is far from over, but things are no longer as desperate as they were in the 1970s. Old houses are being renovated, many after long years of neglect. New developments of commercial and living space have received approval and will be going ahead soon. On the other hand, commercial spaces around James Bay Centre have lain empty for years, with little likelihood of finding tenants. James Bay residents have a long way to go to find even the most basic hardware. We are not short of coffee houses and restaurants. Our streets are very busy during the summer months especially when the cruise ships dock. We can claim some of the worst drivers in Victoria but remain relatively accident-free.

Yes, good old James Bay, a wonderful place to live.