Robson Square Renovations

[s211]

I’m sorry, but if they aren’t going to use phonetics that the general population can read / pronounce for the new name, it will remain Robson Square for most for a very long time.

This.

Or does that brand me as being "colonial"? Hard to keep up with all the SJW invictives these days.

[jollyburger]

I take it the rink'll be closed too?

You can access it from the other side so I see no reason why they would close it.

[mcminsen]

Fencing is going up and it does look like people will have to detour all the way to Georgia St. (north side detour),
cut through the VAG lobby, or via the plaza passage near the lowest waterfall past the red spring sculpture (south side detour).

Pic by me today - blue fencing circled in red.
There are currently gaps in the Howe and Hornby fences.
Shortest detour in orange.

Side note - the trees on Robson look much healthier than those on Howe & Hornby.
The ones around the main plaza probably got fresh soil when the membrane was replaced several years ago, so those are looking good.

https://i.imgur.com/cXXpVsQ.jpg



Here's what that particular detour looks like (orange line in photo), starting on Howe Street going through to Hornby Street. There are no steps or stairs. There is a slightly inclined ramp on Hornby Street.



Sept.23 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/6KEhg9.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn6KEhg9j)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/diaCa1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmdiaCa1j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/vxJNEO.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmvxJNEOj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/ioK4T2.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plioK4T2j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/otEv0i.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pootEv0ij)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/z7sPMQ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poz7sPMQj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/PRj5xR.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmPRj5xRj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/enSs3t.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poenSs3tj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/EJFgeO.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plEJFgeOj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/UPsk7B.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poUPsk7Bj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/MLMNjj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poMLMNjjj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/7Xf6Zm.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn7Xf6Zmj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/xELuaw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plxELuawj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/5oqKfY.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pl5oqKfYj)

[mcminsen]

Perhaps the shortest detour is through Robson Square UBC. Going east, first pic is the entrance (down a few steps) on Hornby Street. You go down a hall and pop out on the other side (second pic) and up a few steps and you're in the plaza area near the main entrance to the Art Gallery.



Sept.23 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/PHHfSC.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmPHHfSCj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/lqzlV7.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnlqzlV7j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/CdXWuu.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnCdXWuuj)

[mcminsen]

A third option is to go through the VAG lobby. Going east, enter off of Hornby Street (red awning) and go out the main entrance on the other side. Or of course, vice versa.



Sept.23 '19, my pic
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/uVhhoJ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnuVhhoJj)

[mcminsen]

The fourth option (the official one on the sign) is the longest. And today you had to go all the way to Georgia Street because they were setting up some displays on the north plaza.




Sept.16 '19, my pic
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/0fAp2p.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn0fAp2pj)



Sept.23 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/DhIdqT.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmDhIdqTj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/3xPvuH.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pm3xPvuHj)

[truenorth44]

Yup, very strange and agreed that going to Georgia will probably divert a lot of people away from continuing on Robson.
- see the orange line on my post at the top of this page.

I'm guessing it has to do with those shortcuts not being City owned property, and so they can't be officially used. Those shortcuts will be used by all who know about them! What do they call them? "Desire Paths"?

[officedweller]

Thanks for the pics!
I wasn't sure if there was a ramp on the Hornby side.

The dumb thing though, is that even if the orange line is not on City property
(which, agreed, may be the reason), it encourages use of Robson Square,
which is what the construction project itself is all about!

[mcminsen]

Nov.3 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/wTbQRp.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plwTbQRpj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/UeQCaQ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plUeQCaQj)

[mcminsen]

Nov.18 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/r2jgA8.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plr2jgA8j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/78kjie.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pl78kjiej)

[SpongeG]

Its weird that it was covered up with asphalt? for a few years and yet the road underneath is untouched, I didn't think asphalt could be undone without damaging what is underneath.

[cairnstone]

I guess they never milled it off. Asphalt will have definite lifts in it that you can see when you cut a trench. If the base area is concrete it would be dissimilar and would peal off I believe

[Galaxy]

Its weird that it was covered up with asphalt? for a few years and yet the road underneath is untouched, I didn't think asphalt could be undone without damaging what is underneath.

I recall them putting down 3/4 crush material down on top of the concrete and then the asphalt was then put on top of the 3/4 crush material which made the removal easier and prevented the damaging of the concrete below the 3/4 crush layer.

[mcminsen]

Looking in from the Hornby Street side.



Dec.5 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/6gt2lL.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn6gt2lLj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/Ztei3x.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poZtei3xj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/tup6Rw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pltup6Rwj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/GPCKgq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmGPCKgqj)

[trofirhen]

Thank you for this photo update.
As I said, I have mixed reactions about this. I think that a contiguous Robson Square is fantastic. It will create a true city heart, in a rather "classical" manner and be great.
The negative reaction is only due to the busses and cars. Which route will they take? They will have to jog around the square along Georgia or go south somehow? Just how, please?
Globally, I'd like to see how solving this occlusion will be handled. Yet the idea of a three-block, landscaped square going from Georgia >on >south is timely and holds great promise.

[mcminsen]

Feb.16 '20, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/J0ir31.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plJ0ir31j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/osXYrr.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnosXYrrj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/i4Io0g.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poi4Io0gj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/CXEsIr.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plCXEsIrj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/3AxCWt.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po3AxCWtj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/K2jPTP.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmK2jPTPj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/jD1YMq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pojD1YMqj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/EArHFs.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plEArHFsj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/fontxW.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pofontxWj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/GkuROG.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poGkuROGj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/KoKCQA.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnKoKCQAj)

[Graham_Yvr]

Those dastardly pagodas are still standing strong. Surely these will be replaced as part of this makeover...right? :shrug:

[officedweller]

I think that the membrane under the roadway itself has already been replaced (?)
- that's why it hasn't been removed.

[officedweller]

Pic by me today:

https://i.imgur.com/Cfs1PNE.jpg

[trofirhen]

What precisely are they doing? Removing the hill? What will it be like when they finish?

[jollyburger]

Stadium seating built into the hill.

[SpongeG]

that's a good idea.

What are they doing on the NOrth side now, parts were fenced off and looked like something was about to be dug up or had been.

[jollyburger]

that's a good idea.

What are they doing on the NOrth side now, parts were fenced off and looked like something was about to be dug up or had been.

New water mains

[CivicBlues]

The repaving of the south part of Robson Square seems to be taking forever. I guess they have to replace the "Spring 2020" sign down now? :rolleyes:

[jollyburger]

The repaving of the south part of Robson Square seems to be taking forever. I guess they have to replace the "Spring 2020" sign down now? :rolleyes:

The website says summer 2020 now.

[connect2source]

The website says summer 2020 now.

Worst part is the loss of one lane on Hornby, super-bad bottleneck between Smithe and Robson now. Hope the project is done soon as that's a major commuter route.

[Otis_Van]

New bollards (my pic, today).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50079442571_97385eeac2_b.jpg

[jollyburger]

I mean it's cute to have a gap in the picnic table but wouldn't you be more safe and just get more tables spaced apart more?

https://images.dailyhive.com/20200706160540/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-2.jpg

[Vin]

New bollards (my pic, today).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50079442571_97385eeac2_b.jpg

Wow these bollards here can withstand the Allied invasion force, as in the Siegfried Line.

[officedweller]

I wonder if the tops light up?
Otherwise they may be hard to see at night.

WRT the picnic tables, my guess is the length makes them harder to steal or move.
They've removed all the single chairs and tables that used to be on the plaza (ie throwable items in the event of a protest)

[Graham_Yvr]

I wonder if the tops light up?
Otherwise they may be hard to see at night.

WRT the picnic tables, my guess is the length makes them harder to steal or move.
They've removed all the single chairs and tables that used to be on the plaza (ie throwable items in the event of a protest)

They have a reflective band just below the top. It appears white in the image. I can't say for sure if they will light up too, but since it's Vancouver, I highly doubt it.

[officedweller]

Thanks.
I saw the band and thought it may be translucent plastic with lights behind.

[Otis_Van]

My pictures from last Sunday.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50190344681_8efe1c6445_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50190344581_ee0bf667df_b.jpg

[jollyburger]

They sure are taking their sweet time.

[officedweller]

July 10th pics of the closed Robson St. work from Milkovich Instagram.
Says they want to be done by late summer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCet_sLhk3v/?igshid=1wr9irmde30f6

[mcminsen]

Yesterday.




Aug.10 '20, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/K4GS70.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnK4GS70j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/Lks7Rd.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poLks7Rdj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/Xdl1oB.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmXdl1oBj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/R0llwx.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poR0llwxj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/cgrgzq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmcgrgzqj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/17IuNV.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po17IuNVj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/ZSv4sa.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmZSv4saj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/YwnmyH.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnYwnmyHj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/rD3RGf.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmrD3RGfj)

[djh]

They sure are taking their sweet time.

Brave of you to speak out-loud what many are thinking. Obviously you don't mind being skewered by those on here who vehemently defend and justify the extremely slow development speed of city-run projects...

(quietly reviews the first page of this thread...2008...)
:runaway:

[Changing City]

Brave of you to speak out-loud what many are thinking. Obviously you don't mind being skewered by those on here who vehemently defend and justify the extremely slow development speed of city-run projects...

(quietly reviews the first page of this thread...2008...)
:runaway:

Except the thread was started for Gordon Campbell's clamshell roof, that never came to be. This current repaving of a closed Robson Street wasn't on the radar in 2008. And if you think the work is going slow, it's not the City carrying out the construction, it's a private contractor.

[SpongeG]

aren't there restrictions onto how many people can be working on a site at any given time due to covid?

[mcminsen]

Sept.15 '20, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/P9UYDg.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poP9UYDgj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/DvagA2.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmDvagA2j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/9opUFL.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po9opUFLj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/ZsEgms.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnZsEgmsj)

[jollyburger]

Seems like they've finished all the main paving work in the plaza now. Though the Howe Street side is still rough.

https://trafficcams.vancouver.ca/cameraimages/RobsonEast_Hornby.jpg

[Graham_Yvr]

Seems like they've finished all the main paving work in the plaza now. Though the Howe Street side is still rough.

https://trafficcams.vancouver.ca/cameraimages/RobsonEast_Hornby.jpg

This project has really dragged on. I guess with COVID there's not been any pressure to get it done and opened - lack of tourists/low foot traffic in the area, but really. It was supposed to be completed Spring 2020.

And, can anyone say whether those horrible pagodas are going to replaced in this project....? Yikes.

[Changing City]

This project has really dragged on. I guess with COVID there's not been any pressure to get it done and opened - lack of tourists/low foot traffic in the area, but really. It was supposed to be completed Spring 2020.

And, can anyone say whether those horrible pagodas are going to replaced in this project....? Yikes.

COVID seemed to close it down for a while. The contractors were presumably trying to work out how to carry on the work while obeying the new health and safety requirements.

The pagodas are part of the BC Government property. This is the City's street project, so there's no reason to think they're changing as a result of the repaving.

[Graham_Yvr]

COVID seemed to close it down for a while. The contractors were presumably trying to work out how to carry on the work while obeying the new health and safety requirements.

The pagodas are part of the BC Government property. This is the City's street project, so there's no reason to think they're changing as a result of the repaving.

Fair enough. Although, this is more than 'repaving', I now understand the two 'owners' as it were. I was under the impression this area was also BC Government property. My mistake. There was a proposal some time ago to replace the pagodas and add other structures that were more modern in appearance. I lumped that into this. I'll lower my expectations which is something I'm used to around city projects.

[mcminsen]

Oct.18 '20, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/Gj6MVd.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poGj6MVdj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/FfMBUP.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnFfMBUPj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/dL53Nf.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pndL53Nfj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/D8lIp2.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnD8lIp2j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/a1b8wm.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pna1b8wmj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/rCmvNo.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmrCmvNoj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/ZAIgC0.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmZAIgC0j)

[jollyburger]

Someone tagged some of the glass over the rinks as well.

[jollyburger]

Maybe it'll be finished before Christmas? Seems like they were doing some finishing work on the west end of the plaza and some fencing was being removed/moved.

[mcminsen]

In the seven weeks since my last update it's hard to see any progress.




Dec.6 '20, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/qUOQTa.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmqUOQTaj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/KFbyaN.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmKFbyaNj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/lj6J2c.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnlj6J2cj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/y6q2Rh.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmy6q2Rhj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/kNy31s.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmkNy31sj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/Di2OpK.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poDi2OpKj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/C3EWXJ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmC3EWXJj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/H5Pnww.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poH5Pnwwj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/91Zhpw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po91Zhpwj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/xOO55i.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmxOO55ij)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/Qx5hiP.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poQx5hiPj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/eETMvT.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmeETMvTj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/ftrpwF.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poftrpwFj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/AZqs5Y.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmAZqs5Yj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/HoEnut.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poHoEnutj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/jtWfhA.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnjtWfhAj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/aLttXS.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmaLttXSj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/TNNkIO.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnTNNkIOj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/ypBcB6.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnypBcB6j)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/kAR2Uf.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnkAR2Ufj)

[mcminsen]

I think I see some progress.




Jan.10 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/wzh9IX.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmwzh9IXj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/l6IubB.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnl6IubBj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/De9BwR.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnDe9BwRj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/HzKucw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmHzKucwj)

[idunno]

Let's hope it's open by.... Summer 2021? Summer 2026? Summer 2300?!?

[djh]

LOL, this thread just celebrated its 13 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!

City Projects, YAY!!!

[mcminsen]

Zipping right along now.




Jan.16 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/3MacZc.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po3MacZcj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/6TMUek.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pm6TMUekj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/yXyp22.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poyXyp22j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/AAiSOZ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmAAiSOZj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/zIOFdk.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pozIOFdkj)

[teriyaki]

What are we thinking now, Spring 2021? Summer 2021? It's gotta be close to completion by now right

[mcminsen]

:shrug: I'm not even going to guess. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets to a point where it looks 100% complete but then the fences stay up for long time.

[officedweller]

Are those inset boxes with the cross ribs for electrical?

[mcminsen]

Jan.19 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/nGr0Iw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/ponGr0Iwj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/L5U1ut.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmL5U1utj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/NnSAAJ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poNnSAAJj)

[jollyburger]

Are those inset boxes with the cross ribs for electrical?

There's some orange conduit pipes in earlier photos from where those boxes are.

[SpongeG]

will that be for lighting within the gorund?

thanks for the pics, haven't been down in ages. Is gonna be nice.

[jollyburger]

I doubt there's any lighting in the pavers. Anyone else notice the four red loudspeakers attached to one of the light stands?

[officedweller]

I was thinking the electrical could be for booths, etc for events.

Wonder what the speakers are for? (maybe it's a sculpture?)

[jollyburger]

I was thinking the electrical could be for booths, etc for events.

Wonder what the speakers are for? (maybe it's a sculpture?)

Yeah they were improving the electrical in the plaza for events but I wasn't sure where they would stick those connections. There were like 8-10 plastic tubes running along each side of the street.

I think the speakers are more functional from the placement.

[teriyaki]

Must be that early Tsunami Warning System

[trofirhen]

Jan.19 '21, my pics




https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/NnSAAJ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poNnSAAJj)
:2cents: Regarding the lighting of this space, are the lights on the tall black lamposts (upper centre in pic) used only for ceremonial / special events purposes, or are they switched on every night?
It sometimes strikes me that public spaces in Vancouver, especially downtown, and around the VAG, are under-lit. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[jollyburger]

Fencing is down on the Hornby side.

[Vin]

Is the Taj Mahal completed?

[jollyburger]

They opened up one side to allow the film crew to park.

[mcminsen]

I wish they would at least open up a fenced off lane through the plaza so pedestrians could be done with the detours.




Feb.15 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/ElWliz.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmElWlizj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/5NSl2j.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn5NSl2jj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/dAkCUy.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmdAkCUyj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/OfiRza.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnOfiRzaj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/1rteD0.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po1rteD0j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/AUiWwZ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnAUiWwZj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/23k881.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn23k881j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/EEGeXG.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnEEGeXGj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/5ehery.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pm5eheryj)

[mcminsen]

We've been doing the detour for about a year and a half now.





Sept.23 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/6KEhg9.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn6KEhg9j)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/vxJNEO.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmvxJNEOj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/ioK4T2.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plioK4T2j)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/z7sPMQ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poz7sPMQj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/enSs3t.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poenSs3tj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/UPsk7B.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poUPsk7Bj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/MLMNjj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poMLMNjjj)...https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/xELuaw.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plxELuawj)

[mcminsen]

...
Sept.16 '19, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/hwuS7N.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnhwuS7Nj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/X21h0q.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poX21h0qj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/921/uVXVhW.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pluVXVhWj)

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

spring 2020? only 1yr late, not too bad.

but *yawn* could it be any more boring?

[s211]

I wish they would at least open up a fenced off lane through the plaza so pedestrians could be done with the detours.


Make it a bike corridor and I bet it would have been opened a long time ago. :shrug:

[jollyburger]

Seems like it's a resource scheduling problem considering how often the site is completely empty.

[Changing City]

Make it a bike corridor and I bet it would have been opened a long time ago. :shrug:

You're absolutely correct. Those City construction crews really get the work completed, while the private sector contractors on Robson Square and the Richards Street park that you also commented on seem very very slow.

[Prometheus]

You're absolutely correct. Those City construction crews really get the work completed, while the private sector contractors on Robson Square and the Richards Street park that you also commented on seem very very slow.

What are you trying to say? That when the city hires private contractors the city is no longer responsible for the timely completion of city projects? That the buck stops somewhere else?

[Changing City]

What are you trying to say? That when the city hires private contractors the city is no longer responsible for the timely completion of city projects? That the buck stops somewhere else?

Er no. I'm saying that the City seem capable of getting their projects built fairly fast, and the two projects that seem slow to complete are both being built by private contractors. I imagine the contracts aren't available to read, so I have no idea if there are time clauses, or penalties, or valid excuses for why the contractors seem slower. Jollyburger observes that the site is often empty, so maybe the contractor is relying on subcontractors, or can't get specialist workers? No doubt Covid is partly an explanation, but that doesn't seem to slowing City crews on the Richards bikeway construction now - although I think it did at the start of the pandemic while new protocols were worked out.

[Vin]

Late January they actually opened up the plaza when shooting the film "Batwoman" (I think). Had a chance to venture onto the south plaza for a bit. It looked really good as the film crew lit up the columns at the grand stairway to the Art Gallery building for the filming. I wish CoV can do something like that, which I doubt.

Er no. I'm saying that the City seem capable of getting their projects built fairly fast, and the two projects that seem slow to complete are both being built by private contractors. I imagine the contracts aren't available to read, so I have no idea if there are time clauses, or penalties, or valid excuses for why the contractors seem slower. Jollyburger observes that the site is often empty, so maybe the contractor is relying on subcontractors, or can't get specialist workers? No doubt Covid is partly an explanation, but that doesn't seem to slowing City crews on the Richards bikeway construction now - although I think it did at the start of the pandemic while new protocols were worked out.

Everyone knows this is taking forever. Relying on subs or not, this is still awfully bad. Another lousy reno was the replacement of those escalators at Granville Station. That took a century to complete, and, except for the newer escalators, everything was still in pretty bad shape. I could even see Expo-86 era dirt trapped at the crevices of the perforated ceiling covers. Says a lot about how things are done here. Blame should go to the project managers and other overseers.

[dreambrother808]

What are you trying to say? That when the city hires private contractors the city is no longer responsible for the timely completion of city projects? That the buck stops somewhere else?


They're challenging tired tropes that commenters here constantly fall back on whether or not they have any actual experience or understanding of the issue.

[jollyburger]

They're challenging tired tropes that commenters here constantly fall back on whether or not they have any actual experience or understanding of the issue.

The landscape architect last July publically said it would finish late summer. In September Hapa said it would be late fall.

[jollyburger]

The red speakers in the plaza are art.

https://vagallery.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02002213/Image-Credit-Brady-Cranfield-Weekend-Chime-2021-Commissioned-by-the-City-of-Vancouver-Public-Art-Program.png

As part of the launch of the new public artwork Weekend Chime, artist Brady Cranfield will host a listening party with musicians and artists Betty Mulat, Russell Wallace and Casey Wei. Each panelist will respond to Cranfield’s work by sharing a song and reflecting on popular music’s engagement with social and political issues.

Weekend Chime is a sound installation by Cranfield, located in the city’s new public plaza at Robson Square between the Provincial Court of British Columbia and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Every Friday at 5 pm, the artwork plays two notes taken from the chorus of Loverboy’s iconic song “Working for the Weekend,” signalling the end of the traditional workweek. The work explores themes of class, labour struggles and the versatility of pop music. Cranfield says, “I see a parallel between the way everyday people use, reuse, remake and occupy that space and the way that we use, reuse, remake and occupy pop songs. Weekend Chime will hopefully act as a reminder that we’re all workers, the true producers of value in the world.”

Weekend Chime is a public artwork commissioned by the City of Vancouver Public Art Program.

https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events/art-connects-weekend-chime-listening-party

[s211]

The red speakers in the plaza are art.

https://vagallery.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02002213/Image-Credit-Brady-Cranfield-Weekend-Chime-2021-Commissioned-by-the-City-of-Vancouver-Public-Art-Program.png



https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events/art-connects-weekend-chime-listening-party

They're freakin' speakers, pure and simple. What a load of pretentious BS:

"The work explores themes of class, labour struggles and the versatility of pop music. Cranfield says, “I see a parallel between the way everyday people use, reuse, remake and occupy that space and the way that we use, reuse, remake and occupy pop songs. Weekend Chime will hopefully act as a reminder that we’re all workers, the true producers of value in the world.”"

[jollyburger]

Public art is only entertaining when they disclose the budget of said project. :)

[officedweller]

I'll bet that the noon hour horns or the 9:00 o'clcok gun weren't "designed".

[SFUVancouver]

The red speakers in the plaza are art.


Are they, though?

[mcminsen]

March 2 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/fP3gH0.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pofP3gH0j)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/iVJaeE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pniVJaeEj)

[jollyburger]

Yeah when I walked by earlier this week it almost looked completed. Looks like they power washed it.

[mcminsen]

March 13 '21, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/Lu3tQE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnLu3tQEj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/fx83sh.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pofx83shj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/33VS2Q.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn33VS2Qj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/i9e7KC.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pni9e7KCj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/GJKrsA.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poGJKrsAj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/hNDT9S.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pohNDT9Sj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/6RmOmE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po6RmOmEj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/6TkAel.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po6TkAelj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/mStuTK.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnmStuTKj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/Bgw05w.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnBgw05wj)

[jollyburger]

Yeah I think they'll need more than metal pegs on the sides of the benches to deal with those guys.

[VantageHD]

Haha, the skids in Vancouver dress likes it's the 90's.

[djmk]

March 13 '21, my pics



https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/33VS2Q.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn33VS2Qj)



As I sit here at work in front of my computer, I miss these days. sigh

[DKaz]

I still wonder if there was a miss in not putting in a bus mall through Robson Square to allow the 5 to continue down Robson to Granville.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

I still wonder if there was a miss in not putting in a bus mall through Robson Square to allow the 5 to continue down Robson to Granville.

CoV made a point of not wanting that.:shrug:

[Denscity]

Interesting the skate kids are wearing big jeans again like the 90s.
Everything comes back every 20 years it seems.

[giallo]

^ Yeah, baggy clothes are making a comeback. Teenagers these days laugh at skinny jeans.

Haha, the skids in Vancouver dress likes it's the 90's.

Skids? Those are skaters. Skids looked like this:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Fubar2.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

Everything comes back every 20 years it seems.

There are only so many things you can do with pants...

[s211]

There are only so many things you can do with pants...

You might think that, but I do remember seeing some hipster a short while ago wearing capris, and I thought "ok gosh, don't even go there...".

[LeftCoaster]

But the cuffs can stay bone dry!

https://i.imgur.com/WkEos6l.jpeg

[Changing City]

I noticed they were installing litter bins last week. Reports (https://twitter.com/vpsn/status/1376654431182188548) are that the south plaza is now open.

[officedweller]

Yes it is!
I can see people walking and biking across it now.

[mcminsen]

Hallelujah! I was just there on Saturday looking through the fence and thinking... maybe this summer?

Great timing with the coming season! :tup:

From Twitter...



https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/JgLOsi.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmJgLOsij)
source: https://twitter.com/iamkennethchan/status/1376671327210201089

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/922/BMjcQR.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmBMjcQRj)
source: https://twitter.com/iamkennethchan/status/1376671327210201089

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/SeVKEY.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnSeVKEYj)
source: https://twitter.com/iamkennethchan/status/1376671327210201089

[TwoFace]

Did they not have lions on the podium of the south side as well?