Robson Square Renovations

[LeftCoaster]

What is the urge to open up Robson again? Honestly who ever drives down that stretch? I'd be quite OK with them just closing that small portion permanently.

The only thing I ever used Robson for on a car was taking a left off Hornby and then a quick right onto burrard. aside from that you are just better off on virtually any other street.

[Pinion]

I prefer to drive down Robson than sterile Georgia on my way to/from the north shore.

Unless I'm in a hurry, of course.

I work in the DTES so I used to be able to go all the way down. Now I have to make a dumb detour south on Howe if I want to go the length of the street.

[Chikinlittle]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

What is the urge to open up Robson again? Honestly who ever drives down that stretch? I'd be quite OK with them just closing that small portion permanently.

The only thing I ever used Robson for on a car was taking a left off Hornby and then a quick right onto burrard. aside from that you are just better off on virtually any other street.

There had been a motion at city hall proposing to shut that block permanently but I can't find what ever happened with that? The city is in need of a real square, or plaza, or pedestrian-only space... this was an opportunity.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Pinion

I prefer to drive down Robson than sterile Georgia on my way to/from the north shore.

Unless I'm in a hurry, of course.

I work in the DTES so I used to be able to go all the way down. Now I have to make a dumb detour south on Howe if I want to go the length of the street.

So wait you drive south from the DTES just to take Robson across on your way home? Why not just take Dunsmuir? It seems like you are driving more distance to get on a slower road?

I definitely don't pick my driving route based on vibrancy of the streetscape, my route depends entirely on expediency. The less time spent in my car and the more spent at my destination the better imo.

[Pinion]

Yes technically I drive south but you gotta remember at that end of town it's about 60 seconds detour down Beatty/Cambie to get to Robson.

If I want to go fast I drive up Main to Waterfront road (north side of the train tracks) then pop up at Burrard, then take Pender. Or I can take Powell/Cordova and go across second narrows bridge. But after spending so much time in the DTES, sometimes you need a reminder that this city isn't completely —. I enjoy driving down Robson and through the west side of the city, at least during nice weather. It's not like I drive down Robson every day though - I mix it up. And for the other 9 months, it's all about speed for me too.

My commute is under 30 minutes either way.

[LotusLand]

Robson Square should be closed to cars and apparently there is a petition: http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/08/robson-square-petition-sign-it/

[dreambrother808]

The atmosphere in Robson Square post-construction plus the nice weather has been great. The picnurbia installation has definitely added to that. It would be sad to see the street reopen. Sign the petition, folks!

[IanS]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

The atmosphere in Robson Square post-construction plus the nice weather has been great. The picnurbia installation has definitely added to that. It would be sad to see the street reopen. Sign the petition, folks!

As a pedestrian, I'm all for keeping Robson Square as pedestrian only, as long as something is done to relieve the traffic pressure at and around the Robson / Hornby intersection. Perhaps removing the restriction on right turns from Hornby onto Georgia? It's a real mess right now.

And, of course, I'd want some kind of assurance that the plywood / — carpet thing would not be hanging around.

Other than that, it's a good idea. IMO.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by IanS

And, of course, I'd want some kind of assurance that the plywood / — carpet thing would not be hanging around.
.

That thing is full of people every day. The fact that some forumers may not appreciate it is outweighed by its obvious popularity, IMO.

[IanS]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

That thing is full of people every day. The fact that some forumers may not appreciate it is outweighed by its obvious popularity, IMO.

It does seem popular, but I'm not sure why one view would "outweigh" another. Different people like different things and, IMO, there is lots of room for contradictory views and opinions. I was simply stating mine, and the conditions under which I would support converting Robson Square to a pedestrian only space.

[jlousa]

I'd rather open it up to traffic, I'd be willing to close Cambie between Dunsmuir and Georgia though when they create the new gallery. As closing that section would have a much less impact.

[dreambrother808]

Robson Square is much more central to downtown life, at least for the foreseeable future, and therefore has greater impact/use/value as a pedestrian-only area.

@IanS: I guess I'm putting more weight on what I have observed, rather than the opinions of the comparatively smaller group of people who post on here. You're free to disagree, naturally.

[officedweller]

Robson lost its prominence as a thoroughfare when the old Cambie Brdige was demolished and the new (current) one built. The old bridge fed into Robson.

It's been closed for about 2 years and the city has continued to function around it.
I just think they should have removed the curbs (or put shallow curbs like on Granville) when they "restored" it recently.

[racc]

Originally Posted by IanS

As a pedestrian, I'm all for keeping Robson Square as pedestrian only, as long as something is done to relieve the traffic pressure at and around the Robson / Hornby intersection. Perhaps removing the restriction on right turns from Hornby onto Georgia? It's a real mess right now.

The problem isn't the Hornby Georgia intersection, it is the Georgia Howe intersection. Even if more vehicles could turn right at Hornby Georgia, they would just back up on Georgia Street waiting to turn onto Howe.

Anyway, the safety of cyclists and pedestrians is more important than the flow of traffic.

[racc]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Robson Square should be closed to cars and apparently there is a petition: http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/08/robson-square-petition-sign-it/

There is a link to the petition at:
http://vancouverpublicspace.wordpress.co...ng-robson-square-the-800-block-petition/

[mezzanine]

meh, I think it should stay closed. if anything, if they close robson square to traffice, think they might even be able to close robson bet granville and howe to pedestrians only and close off the easy park entrance.

I live in downtown, and I haven't been horribly impacted. it wouldn't improved driving if it was open, as that stretch was always stopped for drivers waiting to turn right on howe. and there are a lot of bus route redundancies in that area anyway.

IIRC when robson square first opened, that block in the square was closed off to car traffic, only buses could enter.

That thing is full of people every day. The fact that some forumers may not appreciate it is outweighed by its obvious popularity, IMO.

The irony is that picnurbia is more popular that the entire layout of robson square in the first place. IMO erickson's design is severely lacking in some places for such a prominent area. closing the block off to traffic is a partial remedy.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

The irony is that picnurbia is more popular that the entire layout of robson square in the first place. IMO erickson's design is severely lacking in some places for such a prominent area. closing the block off to traffic is a partial remedy.

I FULLLLLY agree ... he majorly missed the mark. The layout and function and materials used ... are so very piss poor. the upkeep was below par (hedges left to grow wild for crack heads to use as cover, etc) and that helped to turn it into the eye sore it was before this reno started ... but still.

SUB PAR DESIGN for such a important space in the city. End of story

[paradigm4]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

I FULLLLLY agree ... he majorly missed the mark. The layout and function and materials used ... are so very piss poor. the upkeep was below par (hedges left to grow wild for crack heads to use as cover, etc) and that helped to turn it into the eye sore it was before this reno started ... but still.

SUB PAR DESIGN for such a important space in the city. End of story

+1. The fundamental issue is that Vancouver is a ground-level city. We operate on the street. Picnurbia points to this phenomenon. When given urban furniture and public space to interact at along our walking route, we'll utilize it. Vancouverites are not going to go out of their way though to divert underground into a dingy subterranean hole.

I still like the concept proposed by CityCaucus a while back. Cover up the holes, close the road, and make it into a real ground-level physically-shaped square. Use the underground space for either a UBC or VAG expansion. Win-win all another. Considering we couldn't even get rid of the rat and homeless infested tree mound due to concern for the architect's legacy, I doubt it would ever happen unfortunately.

[jlousa]

That's why we'd be better off starting fresh and doing it properly at the future home of the VAG. Sure the location isn't as desirable or central today, but with the arena, stadium, new art gallery, the QE, the Centre, the library all right there plus whatever else gets built onsite, as well as whatever happens to the Post office, I think we shouldn't discount the location. We really have a clean slate to work with.

[Pinion]

^Agreed. The centre of town is gradually moving east, new square or not. Plan it before it's too late.