Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Delirium]

here is a cross section of granville at helmcken (where the photo was taken)
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/granvilleredesign/08jan23display/display14.pdf
you can get a better idea of how the flex parking will work.

but i agree with everyone in that i don't know how people are even going to know those are parking spots and two, why clutter the street with all these ballards and obstacles.

for complete granville info, check here http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/granvilleredesign/08jan23display/index.htm

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by hrhsheba

So, is the end plan to have cars parked in a different configuration than where they are parked now (i.e. as shown in the photo)?

Exactly. The cars in the photograph are not parked where they will be expected to park once the redesign is complete. In the photograph, they are parked along the curb in the normal manner. But once the redesign is put into full effect, cars will be required to park up on the sidewalk between the poles you see in the picture, leaving two unobstructed driving lanes on Granville Street, but eliminating more than half of the new sidewalk, putting us right back where we started before all the construction began.

Pretty brilliant, huh?

[hollywoodnorth]

if anyone wants to see successful bollard parking in place go to Carrall Street between Keefer and Pender. Its works and looks awesome in the area IMO.

So I think it will be great on Granville.

[duener]

I think the flex space parking is a good idea on non-major streets. Granville should have had widened sidewalks down the length of the street and I understand this arrangement was a compromise with the merchants who didn't want to lose any road capacity.

I guess the idea was to have parking in the flex space during the day when pedestrian traffic is lower in that area. Then during the night when the street fills up with pedestrians there wouldn't be any parking in that area.

As for patios, the restaurants/bars there should just put up tables and chairs IN the flex space. Patios shouldn't have to be adjacent to the building. This is a common arrangement in other parts of the world:


Yoko
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2xgNWm0dSWU/RvE5tJ9eGyI/AAAAAAAAANI/4fGvciOzRyE/s640/64200141.JPG

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by duener

As for patios, the restaurants/bars there should just put up tables and chairs IN the flex space. Patios shouldn't have to be adjacent to the building. This is a common arrangement in other parts of the world

I see. So as patrons try to enjoy their meals and/or drinks, buses and cars are whizzing-by only centimetres away?

The street ambiance depicted in the photograph you provided appears pleasant precisely because that street also appears to be pedestrian-only, which will not be the case along the "flex" portion of the newly redesigned Granville Street.

Moreover, if the curb lane becomes the parking lane during the evening, then car passengers will be opening their doors into a table full of people. It is not hard to imagine how irritating it would be to patio patrons as cars attempt to parallel park, and passengers attempt to enter and exit vehicles, only inches from their seats.

No, I am afraid that the "flex" parking design is inexcusably stupid. The rationale that the merchants require space for parking plus two full lanes of traffic in each direction should have been rejected as baseless. Robson Street, currently Vancouver's most commercially prosperous street, has only one such lane of traffic.

[Delirium]

does anyone know what the heck this little plot of grass is for?
it's so damn odd.

- it's locked on both ends
- there are 2 security cameras overlooking the site
- and there's a sprinkler system to water the grass

—?

photo by delirium

[metroXpress]

^ it might be some sort of "green space" in the city

[Spork]

2010 protest site?

[s211]

Originally Posted by Delirium

level

Thanks for this particular photo. It is an excellent example of how to improve the alleyways of a project. Why can't other cities figure this out?

I've seen some absolutely BRUTAL alley treatments in brand new condo developments in some prairie cities that will remain un-named for the present.

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by duener

I guess the idea was to have parking in the flex space during the day when pedestrian traffic is lower in that area. Then during the night when the street fills up with pedestrians there wouldn't be any parking in that area.

As for patios, the restaurants/bars there should just put up tables and chairs IN the flex space. Patios shouldn't have to be adjacent to the building. This is a common arrangement in other parts of the world:


Yoko
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2xgNWm0dSWU/RvE5tJ9eGyI/AAAAAAAAANI/4fGvciOzRyE/s640/64200141.JPG

This reminds me of Baker Street in Nelson. Isn't there a stretch where a few of the cafes actually stretch out to either the end of the sidewalk or into the street? Correct me if I'm wrong. But from what I recall, it created quite the nice ambience.

[officedweller]

The outer row of poles are to protect the trees, so once the trees are in, the poles (+ trees) will be more visible.
I suspect that the two lanes of traffic are to facilitate the bus mall function of Granville Street up until the bus only lanes.
BTW - the roadway north of Nelson is being poured in concrete, not asphalt.

[dreambrother808]

Is the inner row the light posts?

Does this picture even represent a flex space?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Is the inner row the light posts?

Does this picture even represent a flex space?

From the city's website:
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/granvilleredesign/08jan23display/display14.pdf

[Hed Kandi]

Magnet for mayhem in False Creek North
Mayor Robertson's homeless shelters are an ill-considered failure that has left a neighbourhood in chaos
Lin Sheffield

Sun

Thursday, July, 23, 2009



Homelessness is a significant problem in Metro Vancouver. Residents have a moral obligation to assist vulnerable and less-fortunate individuals in a manner of their choosing.

But to provide a long-term, sustainable solution to homelessness, there needs to be a comprehensive, well thought-out plan looking after all those involved.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson's bold social experiment to open two no-barrier shelters in False Creek North is a prime example of how not to approach the homeless problem. Not only did the mayor fail to inform residents that the shelters were opening, but he situated the shelters within metres of a pre-school, daycare and seniors' residence with little regard for the consequences.

In months, the shelters transformed the once peaceful neighbourhood into chaos. Instead of these "no-barrier" shelters bringing in homeless people with shopping carts and pets not allowed in conventional shelters, the facilities have become a magnet for drug dealers, — and petty criminals.

False Creek North residents routinely witness people using and dealing illegal drugs (crack-cocaine and heroin) and carrying weapons. Residents have been intimidated, threatened and assaulted. We've seen —, public — acts, malicious vandalism, theft, and our properties used as dumping grounds for used syringes, condoms and human excrement requiring that the shelter alley be hosed down nightly.

In 12 years of living in False Creek North, I have never seen such disturbing sights. Residents no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhood.

For four months, residents and business owners have contacted civic politicians and sent photos of illegal and immoral activities in the neighbourhood, imploring mayor and city council to address our concerns. Council has ignored residents' concerns, dismissing them with offhand statements such as: "we haven't seen anything out of the ordinary". . . "all kids litter, we need to teach them". . . "crime is down" . . . and "surprising to hear very few complaints until now."

When the media carried photos of a tattooed thug carrying an axe, Councillor Kerry Jang responded "a lot of these guys are carvers, so they have their tools." Residents were routinely dismissed as "irresponsible" for airing their concerns about safety and security in their own neighbourhood.

Mark Smith with RainCity Housing, which runs the shelters, has publicly stated that residents' "concerns are legitimate, there are far too many people housed together and we cannot control the outside element".

The city's recent attempts to crack down on troublemakers outside the shelters had little substance or effect; problems continue. Within hours of Robertson's press conference proclaiming his new steps taken to further "raise barriers," a shelter client threatened to stab my neighbour with a syringe, and was subsequently arrested and charged. The suspect returned to the shelter the next day.

Sadly, False Creek North residents now face new fury from shelter supporters for wanting the remaining "magnet for mayhem" closed. As recently as Sunday, on his way to City Hall, a resident was followed, taunted and threatened. Police are looking for two suspects.

Even though these shelters are a city initiative, Housing Minister Rich Coleman was forced to step in on June 29 to withdraw funding and close one of the two problematic no-barrier shelters imposed upon this primarily residential community. Coleman also directed the City of Vancouver to engage in "immediate community consultation" on the remaining shelter.

After failing to attend a community-organized townhall forum on this issue June 11 and ignoring residents' legitimate concerns for seven months, Robertson gave 10 area residents a few days notice to attend a closed-door meeting on July 19. No public forum is planned.

The city posted an online survey inviting people to give input on the shelters in False Creek North and the homeless problem in Vancouver. The city's survey postcards feature an admitted generic stock photo of a gentle-looking homeless man and his dog; hardly representative of visitors attracted to the Howe St. shelter.

The fundamental flaw with this online survey is that anyone can fill it out by entering a Vancouver postal code. It can easily be manipulated by special interest groups that could stack the results. False Creek North residents fear it will be little more than a public relations ploy by the mayor to justify his ill-conceived decision to open these shelters.

During the last civic election, Vision Vancouver campaigned on a promise to "increase accountability, transparency . . . with new opportunities for engagement, and improved consultation on major issues." When opening the two no-barrier shelters, city council bypassed normal requirements for permits and bylaws. Residents were not consulted on the shelters. And contrary to verbal and written reports from the city stating otherwise, the City Hall withheld notification of the existence of the HEAT shelters from all area residents.

Robertson insists on keeping the remaining shelter open "year-round." Is it any wonder this community has lost all confidence in the mayor to manage or control a problem that he alone created?

Many homeless people in Vancouver have drug, alcohol and mental problems. Addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive solution that involves not just shelter but treatment as well.

At the same time, when opening shelters, the city has an obligation to ensure the safety and security of residents is protected.

Lin Sheffield is a resident of False Creek North and a member of Concerned Citizens of False Creek North.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[s211]

[QUOTE=Hed Kandi;4372224]Magnet for mayhem in False Creek North
Mayor Robertson's homeless shelters are an ill-considered failure that has left a neighbourhood in chaos

Thanks, Gregor "I-can-solve-homelessness-forever-in-one-term" Robertson.

[agrant]

Now good luck getting a new homeless shelter anywhere.

[ckkelley]

Yep, they're gonna be as popular as ever.

[WBC]

Originally Posted by agrant

Now good luck getting a new homeless shelter anywhere.

Just move them to Surrey - they would not even notice ...Sorry couldn't resist...

[metroXpress]

^ oh my...

[WBC]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I am depressed about the southern part of the Granville Street redesign, where "flex" parking is to be instituted. The City is putting all this effort into creating a beautiful, wide sidewalk only to have cars park on top of it, thus making the walkway as narrow as it was before. And when cars are not parked on top of it, there are those numerous poles in the way. Not only do these poles pose a hazard and obstruction to pedestrians, they kill potential patio development, because the presence of a patio would force pedestrians to walk among those poles, an unlikely proposition due to the said hazard. In sum, the "flex" parking scheme (and the poles that it necessitates) negate all the advantages that a wider sidewalk was supposed to create.

I hope that the absurdity of the current approach eventually becomes obvious to enough people and the flex parking scheme is repealed (i.e., those poles are removed and parking is permitted on the street only, as is normal). Only by doing this can Granville become a truly great street. Just imagine: beautiful, wide, unobstructed sidewalks with exciting patio life generated by the new cafes, lounges and restaurants that would move into the area.

Of course, the city would also have to repeal its archaic restrictions on patio development and outdoor music.

Those poles are very handy during the drunken, 2am brawls...

Aside from that this flex parking idea is yet another half way solution that we love around here. Just close the damn street for traffic permanently. It has been closed for traffic for 3 years and I don't see the traffic or business downtown suffering because of it. I mean who goes to Granville street to park anyway? Does somebody actually go - mmm...— store! let me park and buy me some? You go to Granville because it's a destination street...and perhaps to buy that —...