Email correspondence sent by Paul & Sherry Finney, downtown business owners, to Mary Tulle and Ross Hunter of Destination Cape Breton Association: Hello Mary & Ross, Im sure you are aware of the current situation in North Sydney regarding the impending sale of Archibalds Wharf. Mary, as you recall we have met with you in the past and you have greatly endorsed and encouraged us to implement the plans of the downtown BIDA group for tourism development, of which Archibalds Wharf is a key component. As business owners, who have invested significantly in this community, with the creation of three family businesses of our own, Escape Outdoors, La Quaintrelle, and Yellow Dog Studio (creating up to ten jobs). We have also renovated and developed five commercial buildings, bringing another six businesses to the community, through provision of affordable and attractive space. We do this with our own money. Similarly, there are other businesses that have opened in the last 3-4 years that are doing extremely well. We all service not only the Cape Breton community but also the 320000+ tourists that travel to Newfoundland annually. The BIDA engaged in a survey this past summer and captured data on consumer behavior patterns and preferences of this market and were working toward the creation of tourism products for those groups. And, of course, with the new 22 million dollar terminal literally on our doorstep now with its new location, the opportunities only get better. Our businesses and many others will suffer with the expansion of CME. Expansion, however, is not really the correct phrase since they arent operating presently to any significant degree, and have created 1-2 local jobs at best. Where are the upwards of 50 jobs that were announced a year ago, when CME was going to be involved in shipbuilding and repair only. They have not done that, so I guess its now onto plan B. What is most disturbing about their expansion plans is the recently confirmed activity of ship recycling, aka ship breaking or wrecking. I hope you will agree this is not the tourism image we should be presenting to visitors. The reality of the situation is that with this decision immediately up to 20 jobs will be lost. Six with Chill Zone (who will now compete on the Sydney boardwalk with another ice cream shop located there) and 10-13 with the closure of the Waterfront Restaurant. But, it wont stop there. Our businesses and others will suffer, too. Tourists will not want to linger, shop, eat, and relax in a downtown core that is dirty, loud, unattractive and potentially toxic. We certainly dont oppose jobs created by ship and marine repair and CME should be quite able to do that in their current location. The prior owner employed 75 workers there. But, the loss of green/community space (a key component of our tourist product) in exchange for a recycling operation is not acceptable when there are many more suitable locations within the Port of Sydney....that are not in the centre of a downtown core. We are writing to request support from Destination Cape Breton Association. Im sure this type of development does not support your tourism planning strategies and objectives. Social impacts aside, the negative impacts on North Sydney tourism business cannot be ignored. From a strategic planning perspective, Cape Breton needs to build on its strengths that lend a competitive advantage, and they lie in sustainable tourism development. Similarly, the Ivany report points to the importance to promote and foster entrepreneurship as an important contributor to our economy. When every other urban centre is introducing green space to its downtown core, because its known to be an economic generator, why are we going backwards for a promise of jobs that could happen. We certainly hope you agree and would be willing to help us in making those in control aware of the consequences. In moving forward, we welcome working with you and hearing any advice you may offer. Regards, Paul & Sherry Finney
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:30:51 +0000