March 1, 2010
1000xpm: Read this for the backstory. A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit this wonderful Canadian city - admittedly, my geography and knowledge of the surrounding area is lacking in nearly every way, but Brantford was quite charming in even my short time there. Particularly, a historical section of the downtown area stood out. Most people will probably only remember the area for its use in the Silent Hill films, but even that will soon be lost as the city blocks are about to undergo demolition, despite resistance. From the article: Brantford must realize that the position it is in is not unique, but the decisions its councillors and mayor make could set the city apart from others who have traveled the same path.  It is exactly this sort of “dumb and ordinary,” “messy vitality,” to quote two urban visionaries of the twentieth century, Robert Venturi and Jane Jacobs, that we have come to appreciate and cherish in the wake of countless failed experiments akin to the one upon which Brantford seems determined to embark. (via sabbatical, my long-time friend who has been personally involved in trying to counter the demolition.) Thanks to Phil Collins for his support of the fight to save Colborne Street! Below is the statement he made a few weeks back on our Facebook group: I have only been to Brantford once - but I had the chance to walk down that street several times during my stay, and I have to say that it was one of the most charming parts of the city that I saw. As an outsider, I feel like the city would be tearing apart one of the things that has made itself so unique to someone like me. Maybe I’ll never see the buildings again even if they stayed - but there are many who, like me, will remember that part about Brantford very favorably when they get to see it.Anyway, not sure how I can help as an American citizen living in Japan, but lemme know if there’s something I can do.

1000xpm:

Read this for the backstory.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit this wonderful Canadian city - admittedly, my geography and knowledge of the surrounding area is lacking in nearly every way, but Brantford was quite charming in even my short time there. Particularly, a historical section of the downtown area stood out. Most people will probably only remember the area for its use in the Silent Hill films, but even that will soon be lost as the city blocks are about to undergo demolition, despite resistance.

From the article: Brantford must realize that the position it is in is not unique, but the decisions its councillors and mayor make could set the city apart from others who have traveled the same path.  It is exactly this sort of “dumb and ordinary,” “messy vitality,” to quote two urban visionaries of the twentieth century, Robert Venturi and Jane Jacobs, that we have come to appreciate and cherish in the wake of countless failed experiments akin to the one upon which Brantford seems determined to embark.

(via sabbatical, my long-time friend who has been personally involved in trying to counter the demolition.)

Thanks to Phil Collins for his support of the fight to save Colborne Street! Below is the statement he made a few weeks back on our Facebook group:

I have only been to Brantford once - but I had the chance to walk down that street several times during my stay, and I have to say that it was one of the most charming parts of the city that I saw. As an outsider, I feel like the city would be tearing apart one of the things that has made itself so unique to someone like me. Maybe I’ll never see the buildings again even if they stayed - but there are many who, like me, will remember that part about Brantford very favorably when they get to see it.

Anyway, not sure how I can help as an American citizen living in Japan, but lemme know if there’s something I can do.

9:30pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZB9iPyP6I7O
(Notes: 4)
  
  1. rej0ice reblogged this from 1000xpm
  2. savethesouth reblogged this from 1000xpm and added:
    save Colborne Street! Below is...statement he made a few weeks back on our Facebook group:
  3. 1000xpm reblogged this from sabbatical
  4. sabbatical posted this