General Vancouver Development Updates II

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

False Creek itself isn't as toxic as you might think. While I don't think anybody wants to be swimming in it, it's still home to wildlife.

I believe the biggest polluter is the city's sewage outfall, although all the live-aboard boats can't be helping either. Weren't the Feds supposed to be cracking down on those floating eyesores?

[jollyburger]

Actual data on the sediment in Burrard Inlet/False Creek.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/enviro...nlet_water_and_sediment_quality_2000.pdf

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Actual data on the sediment in Burrard Inlet/False Creek.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/enviro...nlet_water_and_sediment_quality_2000.pdf

What I'm reading is that East False Creek is polluted in almost all known ways.

[jollyburger]

Not sure if this was already posted but the 5 storey project at 320 East 2nd is being resubmitted. Replaced with a 20 storey tower

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=215727924

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Weren't the Feds supposed to be cracking down on those floating eyesores?

no, they only did that during the olympics.

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Actual data on the sediment in Burrard Inlet/False Creek.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/enviro...nlet_water_and_sediment_quality_2000.pdf

i do wonder if things have improved in the last 24yrs. that report is almost a 1/4 century old at this point.

i cant find it now, but there was a report with an image on the historical uses of the area. and one spot, just on the shore, was the "tar dumping area."

would be sad to lose all that land use, though i dont see the shoreline changing. the last time they did that was for OV. any shoreline lost, needs to be replaced 1-1. its why that island exists by hinge park. so somehow if they do shorten the creek, theyll need to make it up somewhere else.

and i would be surprised if they put in a new structure. thats a lot of $$$ and not the most ecologically sensitive.

[Tvisforme]

There's a Tyee article from a few years ago that suggests the water is (slowly) improving:

Rumours of the Death of False Creek Are False
Despite pollution, the waterway lives. A photographer dove in to find creatures in an improving ecosystem.

[Migrant_Coconut]

You can occasionally see schools of fish going past Granville Island. And the herons and cormorants evidently have plenty of lunch.

Anybody know how the blueway (or for that matter, any other creek restoration project) is coming along? One monsoon could completely rinse out False Creek.

[madog222]

I don't believe the blueway idea has gone anywhere since COV council endorsement. Though in theory that would result in less rainwater runoff into False Creek, not more. With all shoreline industry now gone sewer separation and dealing with boats dumping sewage will be the best ways to improve the water quality. Nature can take care of the rest.

I've been meaning to have a look at the progress at Volunteer Park but haven't had a chance to, it's supposed to be finished this spring.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

would be sad to lose all that land use, though i dont see the shoreline changing. the last time they did that was for OV. any shoreline lost, needs to be replaced 1-1. its why that island exists by hinge park. so somehow if they do shorten the creek, theyll need to make it up somewhere else.

and i would be surprised if they put in a new structure. thats a lot of $$$ and not the most ecologically sensitive.

I don't see why that needs to be the case, the port authority routinely does land reclamation despite NIMBY complaints.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by madog222

I don't believe the blueway idea has gone anywhere since COV council endorsement. Though in theory that would result in less rainwater runoff into False Creek, not more. With all shoreline industry now gone sewer separation and dealing with boats dumping sewage will be the best ways to improve the water quality. Nature can take care of the rest.

I've been meaning to have a look at the progress at Volunteer Park but haven't had a chance to, it's supposed to be finished this spring.

It was my understanding that the Blueway is undertaken parcel-by-parcel as they redevelop.

[WarrenC12]

I live near False Creek's east end. When the tide is out it smells awful and the water is pretty gross. Obviously it's much more stagnant, but when you compare to Burrard Inlet it's night and day.

My nose isn't a lab chemical analysis, but I do trust it.

There are lots of seals in FC. Whales on ocassion. That doesn't make it clean.

There was a proposal to dump tons of mussels or other shellfish in there to filter and clean the water.

[Jimbo604]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Not sure if this was already posted but the 5 storey project at 320 East 2nd is being resubmitted. Replaced with a 20 storey tower

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=215727924

Aka the former Lordco Auto Parts site.

20 storey will have quite the view given the lack of similar around (for now). Gotta take advantage of subway station proximity.

9 storey under construction just east of this, on NE corner of Scotia and E 2nd, was once tall but now seems short.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

Aka the former Lordco Auto Parts site.

20 storey will have quite the view given the lack of similar around (for now). Gotta take advantage of subway station proximity.

9 storey under construction just east of this, on NE corner of Scotia and E 2nd, was once tall but now seems short.

That view should be unobstructed for some time given the rail yards, new St. Paul's, etc.

I hope they take advantage with the rooftop.

[Jimbo604]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The deck is far more extensive than you imagine, unless you're saying the city will landfill up to the line you draw.

True true. Could be a tight squeeze to get standard width seawall foot and bike paths in on the south part depending on where they end of putting the shoreline.. and how much room East Park can give.

And the north end could be a bit of a squeeze too now they've put so much money into the new playground. Which I'm assuming they wouldn't want to re-configure too much.

For the east part, in red, they'll probably have to repair or replace that decking to maintain access to Science World, I'm thinking.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Re: landfill, that seems like more of a budget problem than an environmental one - same reason the Parks Board never does more than the bare minimum when removing/replacing something. Might have to accept the permanent loss of the South Section.

[WarrenC12]

I wonder if they will take away or rebuild some of the Science World outdoor space. It's cool, but not well used IMO. Seems to be closed a lot.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

no, they only did that during the olympics.



i do wonder if things have improved in the last 24yrs. that report is almost a 1/4 century old at this point.

i cant find it now, but there was a report with an image on the historical uses of the area. and one spot, just on the shore, was the "tar dumping area."

would be sad to lose all that land use, though i dont see the shoreline changing. the last time they did that was for OV. any shoreline lost, needs to be replaced 1-1. its why that island exists by hinge park. so somehow if they do shorten the creek, theyll need to make it up somewhere else.

and i would be surprised if they put in a new structure. thats a lot of $$$ and not the most ecologically sensitive.

Seems like it was near GM place and south of it where that Concord Pacific parking lot is located.

Page 15

Site Characterization and Evaluation of Remedial Action Alternative at the Former Expo 86 Site

BC Electric Gas Plant



https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/b-c-electric-story-of-gas-7

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems like it was near GM place and south of it where that Concord Pacific parking lot is located.

Page 15

Site Characterization and Evaluation of Remedial Action Alternative at the Former Expo 86 Site

BC Electric Gas Plant



https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/b-c-electric-story-of-gas-7

That's why North East False Creek has needed careful remediation. The location of the gasometer that was used to store the gas is underneath Andy Livingstone Park. That coal and coke pile was where the Concord parkig lot and temporary park is located today.

The end of False Creek was 'natural'(ish) until the 1970s. Actually it was partly man-made after the rest of False Creek was filled in, but the only heavy industry was a concrete plant (on the right of the picture) that had a barge mooring at the end of the creek (a bit like the one at Granville Island today)




City Archives

[gaviscon]

Rezoning App is up for the PCI Development at West 4th Avenue and Ontario Street:





https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/4-36-w-3-ave-and-5-w-4-ave-3

[WarrenC12]

Wow that's a good chunk of new office and industrial space. Glad to see it happening.