Quote:
Originally Posted by osirisboy
Like the west end, gastown also has many poorly built buildings. But doesn't mean therefor we should tear it down necessarily
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I agree, if it's possible to retrofit the building to improve its seismic performance, it can avoid requiring the building to be torn down. The huge woodframe buildings of Gastown have potentially better seismic performance than a lot of the 1960s and 70s concrete structures in the West End, for example. That's especially true if they're retrofitted with cross-bracing. Take a look at the
Leckie Building at the corner of Cambie and Water, for example, which has steel cables running at 45 degrees right through the building's frame, anchored deep under the basement.
Even in Gastown we're seeing buildings being redeveloped behind the façade, like
155 Water Street under construction now. Ignoring the potential loss of life that will result from not having buildings seismically improved doesn't seem to be a responsible option.
City Council have taken the lead with adding seismic props to the base of the Vancity building (now the West Annex), and demolishing the 1970s East Wing of City Hall, but they haven't yet found a way of requiring private owners to upgrade their properties. The one exception is if an owner wants to make improvements or change use - then the code requirements kick in. That's why the Landmark is coming down - if it had been possible to retrofit it at a reasonable cost that would see the investment returned, that seems likely to have been the preferred development option. The fact that it's coming down seems to suggest that it wasn't a viable option.
EDIT - And as if someone was listening -
The Vancouver Sun report that City Council are now going to consider making private owners improve properties.
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