Downtown Vancouver Updates

[andyh]

It seems that after a year and a half of painful waiting and watching Emery Barns Park expansion is opening. They have just started to take down the fence. I have never seen a development of this scale take so long. It does look nice and the dog park is a welcome addition.

[trofirhen]

IF ... and WHEN will we see the individual municipalities of the Greater Vancouver Region amalgamate into something more cohesive?

I know this has been discussed before, but I think we're on the brink of necessity. To govern the region as a holistic unit, each municipality retaining its identity but giving up major power to a central Metropolitaon authority (again, much like Toronto did in the early 1960s) seems inevitable.

Or am I wrong?

[eduardo88]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

IF ... and WHEN will we see the individual municipalities of the Greater Vancouver Region amalgamate into something more cohesive?

I know this has been discussed before, but I think we're on the brink of necessity. To govern the region as a holistic unit, each municipality retaining its identity but giving up major power to a central Metropolitaon authority (again, much like Toronto did in the early 1960s) seems inevitable.

Or am I wrong?

I sure hope that does happen. At least have Vancouver, Burnaby and New West merge into one. They can still have a certain degree of autonomy, but major decisions should be done centrally.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by PaperTiger

I think Chinatown will be the next Gastown in terms of reinvestment and cool shops and whatnot. I don't think it will be dramatically different though. the parcels are too small, the ownership is too fractured, and there are too many heritage buildings for it to be significantly different in only 10 years.

there are some LARGE sites in that corridor don't forget. I cant think of over a half dozen off the top of my head from the old BC Electric Building.......to the Chinatown parkade.......the Chinese Cultural Center.......the empty lots and gas station at Keefer & Columbia......Budget Rental lot at Abbot & Pender......Concords Greenwich Village Site.....old Police Station and Jail........old Buddist Temple at Gore and Hastings........Old Pantages Theater and lots around it that are collected up......etc etc etc.

[SpikePhanta]

Originally Posted by eduardo88

I sure hope that does happen. At least have Vancouver, Burnaby and New West merge into one. They can still have a certain degree of autonomy, but major decisions should be done centrally.

But what would happen with the history of new west?

[sacrifice333]

Looks like Emery Barnes Park Part Deux is now open!

[paradigm4]

Originally Posted by eduardo88

I sure hope that does happen. At least have Vancouver, Burnaby and New West merge into one. They can still have a certain degree of autonomy, but major decisions should be done centrally.

I could see the North Shore, the North Fraser, and the South Fraser as sub-regional operations. I think what we're finding is how dramatically varied the needs between places like Coquitlam and Surrey are to cities like Burnaby and Vancouver. Any new form of governance would have to take that into account.

That said, I'm totally for some type of regional governance reform. Right now, Metro is unaccountable and lacking leadership.

[osirisboy]

Perhaps the mods can move the dicussion regarding amalgamation into the amalgamation thread

[SpongeG]

i drove past the park tonight it was quite busy - the new playground was full of families

[red_lantern]

Has anyone here bought in to the pre-sale at 700 West 8th? It's an awesome looking building with great features and finishings. A bit on the pricey side as it seems that the developer is firm with their pricing but will probably include HST.

[wrenegade]

I was looking at 700W8th, and I was told by a saleswoman there they recently dropped prices by $40k for all the 1 bedrooms, but for the same money I bought a unit in "James" on the 11th floor with a NW view, instead of the 3rd floor at 700W8th (facing east, no view). Yes it was a little smaller, but still. If I had the money to be a little higher up and north or west facing, I might have gone for it. The building is going to be amazing.

[officedweller]

Sent around the office:

Filming Notice for the TD Plaza

Please note that MRM Productions will be using the TD Plaza entrance and the Sears TD Plaza entrance for a holiday
movie shoot on Monday, July 26, 2010. The exterior of the Sears store will be set up (after retail hours) to create a
scene featuring people in line for a sought after Christmas toy. The exterior of Sears will be made to look like a toy store,
as will the exterior of the TD Plaza entrance on the West Georgia side.
The film crew will set up graphics on the windows at approximately 8:00AM on the morning of July 26th and filming will
commence at approximately 6:00PM. It is scheduled to finish just after midnight.
Security guards have been arranged to assist with the traffic flow during this film shoot.
If you have any questions, please contact MRM Productions Location Manager Kirk Johns at 778-869-3596.

[eduardo88]

A Christmas scene filmed in July? I'm guessing Vancouver will be playing LA in that movie.

[Spoolmak]

Seems odd...I love it how when Vancouver plays NYC and you can see the mountains in the background. I wonder if other people notice that .

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by eduardo88

A Christmas scene filmed in July? I'm guessing Vancouver will be playing LA in that movie.

they can bring in fake snow - that stupid christmas movie with danny devito and matthew broderick - so awful i forgot the name was filmed here in the summer and they had piles of snow in the movie

[nova9]

Originally Posted by Spoolmak

Seems odd...I love it how when Vancouver plays NYC and you can see the mountains in the background. I wonder if other people notice that .

when was the last time that happened? as i recall, that was a major mistake in 'Rumble in the Bronx' with Jackie Chan but since then, I haven't notice that. Is it just a too often perpetuated falsehood? It never happens in fringe.

[SpikePhanta]

Speaking about film, last week i saw them shooting that movie with jack Black at the train station.
Vancouver was playing Boston, and since there isnt that many tall towers in the area I wonder if the mountains are in a scene!

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i drove past the park tonight it was quite busy - the new playground was full of families

Photos please!

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by SpikePhanta

Speaking about film, last week i saw them shooting that movie with jack Black at the train station.
Vancouver was playing Boston, and since there isnt that many tall towers in the area I wonder if the mountains are in a scene!

Boston and Vancouver are remarkably similar, without being anything alike. If that makes sense.

I go to Boston at least once a year, and I always remember thinking how it's like the Eastern Vancouver. Coincidentally it's my favorite American city.

[Coldrsx]

"Boston and Vancouver are remarkably similar"

great city is its...but how do you reckon they are similar in feel?