BEARS ROAMING CITY’S EAST SIDE
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FEWER TREES TO FALL UNDER THE AXE?
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LAKERS REBOUND IN A BIG WAY
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Healthy Aging Fair offers great chance for seniors and those who love them to get all they need. See Page A16
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 12 2013 www.burnabynewsleader.com
Sears’ plans cause a stir Generates interest among investment firms Wanda Chow
wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
The mix of pedestrians and cyclists can make the BC Parkway that runs along the Expo SkyTrain line one of the worst, and most unsafe, roadways in the province according to a survey by BCAA.
BC Parkway ‘second worst’ road in B.C. First time a bike path has made BCAA’s annual list Wanda Chow
wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
BC Parkway isn’t just a wellused cycling and pedestrian route through Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, now it’s also the second-worst road in B.C. The path made the B.C. Automobile Association’s (BCAA) annual Top 10 Worst Roads list last week, coming behind only Westside Road in West Kelowna for the dubious distinction.
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It’s the first time a bike path has modes of transportation. made the list, which is compiled While potholes and crumbling through online nominations and pavement still make up the majority votes. of survey respondents’ “The safety of all road users concerns about BC roads, is one of our top priorities,” 65 per cent, the proportion said Ken Cousin, BCAA’s concerned about pedestrian associate vice president of and cyclist safety has gone Road Assist, “and this gives up, from six per cent last year British Columbians a way to to 15 per cent this year, he JOHNSTONE said. voice their concerns about the roads.” There were more than Cousin noted that despite the 2,000 votes overall, with about 170 “automobile” in its name, BCAA voting for BC Parkway compared to also provides assistance to cyclists 264 for Westside Road. and is a supporter of alternative The bike path was on the list last
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year as well, but nowhere near the top 10. New Westminster resident Patrick Johnstone was one cyclist who encouraged people to vote for the bike path through his blog, http:// nwimby.blogspot.ca. He said, half-jokingly, that he was disappointed BC Parkway didn’t get the No. 1 spot, having led the voting at one point, but was glad the result helps shine a light on how bicycling infrastructure isn’t maintained as well as that for motor vehicles. Please see TRANSLINK, A4
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Sears Canada is generating lots of buzz over its plans for its property in Metrotown area. As reported in the NewsLeader, the company has taken the first steps at Burnaby city hall to redevelop the 8.9 acres it owns adjacent to Metropolis at Metrotown mall into a new flagship store, and five residential highrises and two office towers over top of commercial and retail space. At this point, it has only applied to establish a conceptual master plan for the land which would guide future rezoning applications for each phase of the project. Burnaby council has directed city staff to work with the company on more detailed development plans for the site. While media reports have valued the entire project at $1 billion, Sears Canada Inc. spokesperson Vincent Power stressed it’s too early to know what it will all be worth and there are still many unknowns, such as future economic and market conditions. Please see KEEN, A3