By Ethan Ready

Issues with flowerbed in full bloom for downtown business

Dec 17, 2019 | 4:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A downtown flowerbed has been blooming more problems than it has flowers.

According to the Mission Thrift Store, located at 3rd Avenue and Dominion in Prince George, the flowers and the bed itself get destroyed every year as it gets used for a urinal. It also gets used by people who pass out as a location to sleep.

Lynn McDonald, Board Chair at Mission Thrift Store, has written a few letters to mayor and council with regards to the issue, asking for the flowerbed’s removal.

In a letter dated Nov. 13, 2019, McDonald writes:

“I am sure the city spends a lot to maintain the flower bed and the tree but the problems and cost of upkeep I am sure outweigh the attraction it gets. It is a steady meeting place for drug dealers, used as an injection site, and unfortunately is a gathering spot for prostitution to take place.”

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McDonald continues in her letter saying that their business has been suffering. It’s also made it difficult to recruit new volunteers for a business that is entirely run by individuals giving up their own time to help the store run.

During Dec. 16th City Council meeting, the letter was passed onto the newly established committee responsible for addressing downtown issues.

“(We are) just really glad to have had a letter brought forward to highlight the issue. Now it’s time for us to find a solution,” said City Councillor Garth Frizzell.

Mission Thrift Store helps support ministry work throughout Canada, as well as internationally, while also serving the needy of Prince George.