Is there a copy editor on staff?

Rize Alliance, a well-respected Vancouver developer who delivers some pretty cool projects (The Rolston, Containers, etc.) is facing some serious community opposition to their proposal for a 26-story tower and podium in predominantly low-rise Mount Pleasant.

The site is at the corner of Broadway and Kingsway, across from the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, and where a commercial building once stood before burning down in a much-publicized 2009 fire.

In order to help garner support for their tower proposal, several billboards have been erected on the site, featuring images of supposed Mount Pleasant residents, complete with unintentionally funny “lifestyle” quotes that seem straight out of the boardroom of a Yaletown marketing agency. It doesn’t help the pictures look like stock images and there’s no names attached.

Update March 28: I’ve confirmed the photos and quotes are indeed real. It’s still goofy.

A small park has also been created with grass and gravel, to showcase this eyesore.

I’m sorry Rize, but if you want to win over the savvy residents of Mount Pleasant, this is not going to help your cause. In fact, I think it’s probably having the opposite effect.

Take a look:

"Loner" by Rize Alliance

"So fly."

"Pressure Cooker"

Welcome to the stories that capture the spirit of a community

"Bun in the oven"

Perspective

For information on the Mount Pleasant tower proposal, visit Frances Bula’s blog or view more information on Rize Alliance’s microsite.

Rezoning Application for Mount Pleasant tower.