Downtown Vancouver Updates

[osirisboy]

Metro got me wondering about the dumpster removal issue downtown. what is happening now? whats the newly elected councils position on it? After Seattle removed their dumpsters everyone seemed to think it was such a good thing yet our city seems to have done nothing?

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

its not that bad, have to cater to retailers in a generic way, it doesn't seem like it will house anything specific at this point

I agree, it's not that bad. It's a big improvement over what exists today. What people are expecting anyway? A 60 storey tower with neon signs, video screens and a ferris wheel on top?

The real buzz-kill on that corner is the Sears building.

[LeftCoaster]

^And that problem might be solved sooner than you think

[NewWester]

^I think I just felt a giddy little thrill when I read that. I certainly hope that isn't a tease.

[Metro-One]

I sure hope so, would be great to clean up the alleys! More garbage clean up during the weekends and special events would be great as well. Grnaville street and even Robson become a huge mess of garbage every weekend now it seems, not to mention special events (I remember this year Granville still looked like a landfill on January 3rd from New Years)

[s211]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Metro got me wondering about the dumpster removal issue downtown. what is happening now? whats the newly elected councils position on it? After Seattle removed their dumpsters everyone seemed to think it was such a good thing yet our city seems to have done nothing?

Vancouver did something. It decided to stick with the status quo, lest it upset the binners.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by Conrad

It's a big improvement over what exists today.

On the contrary; it is worse. The current building may be rundown and a legitimate candidate to be replaced by something appropriate, i.e., something that acknowledges and contributes to the growing excitement and spirit of that intersection. But the proposed replacement is abundantly boring, forgettable and tone-deaf to its emerging context, and is even pedestrian-unfriendly to an extent. The current building at least gave Vancouver some colour and soul with its eclectic row of funky, one-of-a-kind shops.

[Metro-One]

exactly, i already miss the underground thrift shop there The older building just needed some fixing up to be done.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I sure hope so, would be great to clean up the alleys! More garbage clean up during the weekends and special events would be great as well. Grnaville street and even Robson become a huge mess of garbage every weekend now it seems, not to mention special events (I remember this year Granville still looked like a landfill on January 3rd from New Years)

I think you misread the above posts... we were talking about the "buzz-kill on the corner".

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

^And that problem might be solved sooner than you think

I like the sound of that! Fingers crossed.

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

...something that acknowledges and contributes to the growing excitement and spirit of that intersection.

Sounds great. What would that be exactly?

Originally Posted by Prometheus

But the proposed replacement is abundantly boring, forgettable and tone-deaf to its emerging context, and is even pedestrian-unfriendly to an extent.

Talk about misdirected outrage. The Sears building is far more deserving of that statement.

Originally Posted by Prometheus

...with its eclectic row of funky, one-of-a-kind shops.

A skater shop, a second-hand store and an optician? Seriously? One-of-a-kind?

[racc]

Originally Posted by s211

Vancouver did something. It decided to stick with the status quo, lest it upset the binners.

Not the binners that are the problem, it is waste disposal companies. The city asked for bids years ago and none of them responded. The city should just go ahead and do it themselves.

It would actually be great for binners. With the really messy stuff separated out, anything worth binning would be in its own bags.

[dleung]

I'm almost tempted to design a 1-hour fantasy proposal to embarrass the idiots who conceived the Robson/Granville design. Just like I did with the Telus Gardens project ;P

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

exactly, i already miss the underground thrift shop there The older building just needed some fixing up to be done.

A LOT of fixing up. It's probably full of asbestos... ancient wiring... who knows what else. It would cost a fortune to fix and the owner would still never be able to attract the premium tenants required to make that money back. From a business point of view, it makes no sense.

This is a plain brick building that is coming to the end of its lifespan, it's as simple as that. The outcry here ist totally overblown.

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by dleung

I'm almost tempted to design a 1-hour fantasy proposal to embarrass the idiots who conceived the Robson/Granville design. Just like I did with the Telus Gardens project ;P

Bring it.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by Conrad

This is a plain brick building that is coming to the end of its lifespan, it's as simple as that. The outcry here ist totally overblown.

The disappointment, for me, lies not in the loss of the current building (which has little architectural merit), but in the squandered opportunity to replace it with something more cognizant of that particular intersection's emerging role as the celebratory centre of the city, i.e., with something that amplifies and adds to the growing excitement and energy of the Granville Street Entertainment District. But, unfortunately, where something bold and exciting is called for, something bland and sedate has been proposed. And thus an obvious opportunity to enhance the street's vibe even further (and make the city even better) has been wasted. That is all.

[Conrad]

That's an awful lot to ask of a building — and I have yet to hear you suggest a more "cognizant" alternative. Your assumption that the intersection is emerging as the "celebratory centre of the city" is a bit rich. Judging by last summer's riots, I doubt the city will be inclined to encourage any more "celebratory" gatherings.

[Metro-One]

How is it a lot to ask of a building??? And yes, the riots, I forgot, guess we should shut down all forms of entertainment in this city that gather people together outside. Such a lame excuse, every city in the world has had riots at one time or another, and most of them see to have overcome this problem and have fantastic celebrations in their entertainment districts.

And yes, this is a very bland building for an important corner, period. Maybe you need to explore the entertainment / shopping districts of a few other cities in this world to understand what we are talking about here

[jlousa]

I'm not a fan of the building, but honestly I don't think much was possible here anyways, it's not a large lot, the building next door is heritage protected, there is a strict height limit along Granville. The card were stacked from the beginning. I think it'll be a big improvement over what was there.

Anyone else hear a new rumour for a possible location for an Apple flagship. At the Eastern end of Alberni on Burrard, between Hotel Van and the old Library?

[SpongeG]

they are opening a store on robson street though, thats kinda close to that location