Skating under the bridge

As a supporter of skateboarding in the city, I read your article titled “Skate back the streets” [News, June 14] with interest. Actually, my design group (Atelier Big City) was part of the team that put together Montreal’s first “skate plaza”—a public space where skateboarding is legal, located under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge—which is discussed in the article.

As someone who designs in the public domain, I accept the fact that everyone has a right to their own opinion, however, I must comment on some of the statements that were attributed to Mr. Eric Mercier in the article. The skate plaza was the result of a public consultation process, and while it is true that Mr. Mercier attended most of these sessions, he did not choose to contribute his “expertise” after we actually hired him and some of his colleagues as consultants on the project.

As for us going “buckwild” on the design, Mr. Mercier is again misleading. We presented a variety of possible designs for the plaza in order to receive informed feedback from interested skateboarders, the general public, city officials and area residents, and later on, in a more specific consultation with a group of skateboarders. Wherever possible, this feedback was integrated in the final result. Working with such consultation and interaction is typical of projects in the public domain. Ultimately, the plaza was completed with the very helpful consultation of another experienced skater, who showed both ability and enthusiasm as a team player.  

This is a relatively small skate plaza but it will hopefully be the first of many such places in which Montreal’s skaters and general public will have the opportunity to interact. After all, as a public space, this is the new plaza’s principal role, not to perform solely as a skateboard playground. And incidentally, according to all reports, the plaza is well used. Hopefully, as word spreads, the use and enjoyment of this plaza will only increase.

>> Howard Davies, Atelier Big City

Nation occupation

Helen Shapiro pointed to the 1951 Chinese takeover of Tibet [Letters, June 14] in order to correct the Mirror’s outrageous claim that the Palestinian territories are under the “longest military occupation of modern times.” What a relief! Now that we know that the Palestinians live under the second longest occupation in modern times, we can all feel much better.

>> Patrice Bombardier

Metro debate not dead yet

I agree with the general tone of Edward Abramic’s letter [Letters, May 17], but there are some errors of fact and other less-known errors in the original system.

As far as I know, the metro has never used AC; it has always been DC. The three-note hum one hears on acceleration is simply the sequenced addition of power to different coil windings inside the motors. AC is now the preferred method of propulsion for diesel-electric locomotives, especially for mountain applications. So, AC would be better for the stop-start of the metro.

The flanged steel wheels are integral to the wheel hub so that there is no lowering mechanism. The steel wheels are in constant contact with the steel rails inside of the wheel pads. They are used for switching operations at the end of the line. If the tire fails, the load simply transfers to the steel wheels.

The big mistake is the width of the cars. This was to reduce tunnelling costs, but it reduces the per car capacity of the metro. The North American width, as per the TTC, or our own electric train size would be more appropriate.

The rubber tire problem is well known to the engineers in Paris. When they first adopted the system, the engineers were surprised to discover that the energy costs were much higher than anticipated. This is due to the rolling resistance of the tires. There is also the maintenance, complexity costs of the system, plus its inherent fire hazard.

The problem is that the solutions will cost more.

>> Ron Goes

BOM Corrections

Moe’s, #2 in Best Late-Night Eats, is not at various locations, but rather at 1455 Lambert-Closse, on the corner of de Maisonneuve behind the old Forum. It is officially called Corner Snack Bar.

Kristy from Foufs was listed as #8 in the Best Waiter/Waitress category but also received an honourable mention. A recount showed that she moves up to #5 place, and the honourable mention goes to Bernadette Tapper at Hurley’s Irish Pub.