Downtown Vancouver Updates II

[RDW989]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Listel Hotel looked fairly gutted seems like they'll start to demolish the building soon.

My pix today, May 30
[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2r7YA9n]

[officedweller]

Pics by me this morning May 30:


Harwood x Thurlow






VAHA Burrard

[officedweller]

Commodore canopy being painted...

Pic by me this morning:



Empty units left and right of the 3 occupied ones.
"For Lease" only on the ones to the left.

[jollyburger]

I wonder if Service Canada is still planning on opening on Granville if the Sinclair Centre redevelopment project seems like it's on the back burner.

[Zepfancouver]

I heard some news on the radio this morning that got my full attention.

"Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone
The Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone at Granville and Robson Streets will feature
large digital billboards, transforming it into a landmark destination like Times Square in NYC and
Piccadilly Circus in London. Signs in this zone will feature synchronized visual art displays, and
live-event screenings" Granville Street Plan – RTS 16361 Page 11 - Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone

The Granville Street Plan has been finalized and will be presented to Council on June 4

[jollyburger]

Too bad the Nordstroms renovation doesn't include a video board facing Robson.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Too bad the Nordstroms renovation doesn't include a video board facing Robson.

There's that Pacific Centre sign that's screaming for a billboard.

[djh]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

I heard some news on the radio this morning that got my full attention.

"Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone
The Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone at Granville and Robson Streets will feature
large digital billboards, transforming it into a landmark destination like Times Square in NYC and
Piccadilly Circus in London. Signs in this zone will feature synchronized visual art displays, and
live-event screenings" Granville Street Plan – RTS 16361 Page 11 - Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone

The Granville Street Plan has been finalized and will be presented to Council on June 4

Will it, though?


I remember them saying the exact same thing when ?Bonnis? built that whole complex on that NE corner of Robson and Granville. The promise was that the "giant" lighting screens would hang above the significant corner of the city and a certain amount was going to be dedicated to local artists, blah blah blah...and it would be "The Times Square of the Pacific".

So far it's been rubbish. I don't hold much hope for any new screens achieving what they said the old screens would do. In fact, now I remember it, there were 2 revisions of those screens. The first screens were even smaller than the ones there now, and I guess with technology upgrades they were able to replace them affordably with the current screens. Each time it was promised as being like Times Square or Piccadilly Circus. LOL.

Meh.

[jollyburger]

I mean even from the rendering for 798 Granville there's no way that someone would be able to say it was going to be anything dramatic. The problem is that it's barely even noticeable from street level.



https://council.vancouver.ca/20031023/pe2.htm

They wanted to install larger signs further down but not sure what happened to that plan



https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/robson-g...nic-screens-new-approved-december-6-2017

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by djh

Will it, though?

...

I hope they sign off on it
I'll be watching the Council meeting on Wedsneday for their reaction to the proposal. I'd like to hear "Fantastic! But not big enough, we want more" and not "meh", fingers cross

Edit: This screen on Kingsway https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.2625226,-..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDYwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D is not the largest but it is very noticeable, the colors and quality of the image are excellent, it really pops out at you, I would be happy with the same (2 or 3 panels) on Granville

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

I heard some news on the radio this morning that got my full attention.

"Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone
The Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone at Granville and Robson Streets will feature
large digital billboards, transforming it into a landmark destination like Times Square in NYC and
Piccadilly Circus in London. Signs in this zone will feature synchronized visual art displays, and
live-event screenings" Granville Street Plan – RTS 16361 Page 11 - Granville Street Electronic Video Sign Zone

The Granville Street Plan has been finalized and will be presented to Council on June 4

Wait, what's this?

You mean exactly what I've been suggesting for nearly two decades for on this forum??

Better late than never!

I've noticed a trend recently of things I've been saying for decades now finally being proposed / considered.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Wait, what's this?

You mean exactly what I've been suggesting for nearly two decades for on this forum??

Better late than never!

I've noticed a trend recently of things I've been saying for decades now finally being proposed / considered.

I was just reading your old posts on the Vancouver Lighting thread

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163541&page=6

[urbanight93]

I hope the pedestrianization plan for Granville Street is scrapped. If Vancouver is serious about revitalizing this corridor, removing transit from its central spine is the wrong move. Streets like Robson or Alberni are already active with retail and foot traffic and are far better candidates for pedestrianization.

Granville thrives on the daily activity brought by transit riders. Removing buses is a way to strip it of its vibrancy and leave it even more derelict, especially during off hours. The core issues facing Granville today like public safety, homelessness, and visible drug use aren’t problems that can be solved by streetscape upgrades alone. These are systemic issues that extend beyond the City’s jurisdiction and require work on bail reform, mental health support, and addiction services.

A visual makeover, as seen 15 years ago, may offer a temporary lift, but real change will only come through unlocking development potential and addressing the root causes of decline. Let's get real, until then, no amount of urban design will make people feel safe or want to spend time on Granville Street.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by urbanight93

but real change will only come through unlocking development potential

This is a large component of the Plan document before Council.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by urbanight93

I hope the pedestrianization plan for Granville Street is scrapped. If Vancouver is serious about revitalizing this corridor, removing transit from its central spine is the wrong move. Streets like Robson or Alberni are already active with retail and foot traffic and are far better candidates for pedestrianization.

Granville thrives on the daily activity brought by transit riders. Removing buses is a way to strip it of its vibrancy and leave it even more derelict, especially during off hours. The core issues facing Granville today like public safety, homelessness, and visible drug use aren’t problems that can be solved by streetscape upgrades alone. These are systemic issues that extend beyond the City’s jurisdiction and require work on bail reform, mental health support, and addiction services.

A visual makeover, as seen 15 years ago, may offer a temporary lift, but real change will only come through unlocking development potential and addressing the root causes of decline. Let's get real, until then, no amount of urban design will make people feel safe or want to spend time on Granville Street.

Throw in there's probably zero foot traffic to demand it except maybe at night (?)

I think the next interim solution would be to narrow the street to two lanes with zero parking except for some emergency pull outs. I assume there's some plan for shops getting deliveries.

[city guy]

Originally Posted by urbanight93

I hope the pedestrianization plan for Granville Street is scrapped. If Vancouver is serious about revitalizing this corridor, removing transit from its central spine is the wrong move. Streets like Robson or Alberni are already active with retail and foot traffic and are far better candidates for pedestrianization.

Granville thrives on the daily activity brought by transit riders. Removing buses is a way to strip it of its vibrancy and leave it even more derelict, especially during off hours. The core issues facing Granville today like public safety, homelessness, and visible drug use aren’t problems that can be solved by streetscape upgrades alone. These are systemic issues that extend beyond the City’s jurisdiction and require work on bail reform, mental health support, and addiction services.

A visual makeover, as seen 15 years ago, may offer a temporary lift, but real change will only come through unlocking development potential and addressing the root causes of decline. Let's get real, until then, no amount of urban design will make people feel safe or want to spend time on Granville Street.

I completely agree with you. Granville needs a vast increase in diverse uses that activate both day and night. Moreover, the bus transit brings in thousands of people who can contribute to the energy. Additionally, diverting bus traffic to Seymour and Howe will further congest those two streets, which are vital arteries in and out of the downtown.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by city guy

I completely agree with you. Granville needs a vast increase in diverse uses that activate both day and night. Moreover, the bus transit brings in thousands of people who can contribute to the energy. Additionally, diverting bus traffic to Seymour and Howe will further congest those two streets, which are vital arteries in and out of the downtown.

5.1.5
Permanently re-route bus service to Howe and Seymour Streets for the entire length of Granville Street downtown. Implement permanent fulltime bus priority lanes and additional transit priority measures, potentially including bus bulbs, traffic signal improvements, parking restrictions, and turn restrictions.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

5.1.5
Permanently re-route bus service to Howe and Seymour Streets for the entire length of Granville Street downtown. Implement permanent fulltime bus priority lanes and additional transit priority measures, potentially including bus bulbs, traffic signal improvements, parking restrictions, and turn restrictions.

That bus priority lane better come out of the two lanes of meter parking. Reducing Seymour down to one lane of other traffic would be sheer idiocy.

[madog222]

Translink will be removing many routes from running through downtown along Granville / Howe & Seymour including the 4, 14, 16, 17, and 50. Only the 7 and 10 will be left.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by madog222

Translink will be removing many routes from running through downtown along Granville / Howe & Seymour including the 4, 14, 16, 17, and 50. Only the 7 and 10 will be left.

Why?