(haipo) Residents of the French Carmel neighborhood in Haifa noticed changes this week to the familiar seating area on the corner of Cauders Street and Stefan Weiss. Along with satisfaction with the renovation of some of the benches, questions also arose about why only some, what about those who were displaced, and what about the future of the place, which serves as a meeting and resting place for residents, families, hikers, and dog owners.
The shaded seating area on the corner of Cawdores Street and Stefan Weiss, in the heart of the French Carmel neighborhood in Haifa, has been considered a favorite spot for years, especially for residents of the neighborhood and visitors passing by. Among the trees, in the pleasant shade and accompanied by the chirping of birds, the corner has become a quiet community meeting place used for rest, conversations with neighbors, a break during a walk and even for family fun.
The benches in the area, which had served the public for many years, were already showing significant signs of wear and tear. Some were very old and in some the wood was worn and even eaten away. Despite their condition, the benches continued to be used by a diverse population, including long-time residents, parents with strollers, children playing in the area, hikers, and dog owners who stopped to rest during their daily rounds.
This week, residents noticed a change in the appearance of the corner. Three of the old benches were removed, while a new bench was placed at the same time. The change was met with mixed feelings: on the one hand, many welcomed the beginning of the renewal process and the improvement of the visibility and comfort of the place, but on the other hand, there were those who wondered why some of the benches were moved and why another bench, which is in less than optimal condition, remained in place.
Following inquiries from residents of the area, we contacted the Haifa Municipality in person to ask them to understand what the municipality's plan is regarding the seating area and what is expected to be done there in the near future.
The inspection shows that this is a gradual maintenance and upgrade process. In the first phase, one of the old benches was replaced, and another bench is expected to be replaced later. The remaining benches that were found to be in good condition will remain in place and undergo renovation and restoration work.
The Haifa Municipality informed Haifa:
"The Haifa Municipality is working on an ongoing basis to upgrade and replace street furniture according to its condition and maintenance needs in the public space. As part of this, an old bench was replaced in the seating area located on Kauders Street and the corner of Stefan Weiss, and later another bench will be replaced and the remaining functioning benches will be renewed. The Municipality will continue to promote the renewal of street furniture there, as well as at other sites throughout the city, in accordance with the work plan and the professional priorities of the Operations Administration."
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Ahhhhhh, the light has enlightened me – what about the wall mosses? Ugh.
There is a work vehicle that can go in there and use water pressure to clean there.
Replace only some of the benches to meet the accessibility standard that requires a quarter of the benches to be accessible in the space. As long as there is no reason to replace all the benches, they will not invest money and time in the residents.
They won't replace benches, they'll uproot them, and it's a good thing that way, so that drug addicts and homeless people and Russians don't sit and feed cats on 1-4 Ha-Horsha Street. There are 5 benches, and I would be happy if the Shefa department would take back 4 of them.
Enough, enough, enough with your nonsense,,, enough!
Haifa Municipality installs signs saying "Thank you ten times and don't take anything for granted."
There are elderly people in other places who would be ho ho ho asking for your old bench.
There is no need to put benches for Russian/Ukrainian elderly people, and certainly not for homeless people and drunk drug addicts who sleep in their bathrooms.