Time for Vancouver to Tear Down Its Viaducts?

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Next February? So soon? OMG ..................

Needs to be QUICK so it's a fait accompli before Meggs resigns as City Councillor so he can run in the coming Provincial Election in 2013 (and presumably he'll get elected and disappear in Victoria).

If it's not done by then & he loses the Provincial Election, he's still no longer a City Councillor & can't push through the demolition.

Although ... if he fails at winning a seat in the Provincial election, he could re-run in the city by-election and try to re-take the seat he vacated.


If the City doesn't make a decision before the Provincial Election (and Meggs is elected to Victoria), is there a anyone else on Council who will push his pet project through the bureaucracy?

[cornholio]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Next February? So soon? OMG ..................

I predict they will aim for sooner. Just watch at the lightning speed they will try to move at once they can give the green light so that the public at large doesnt have enough time to finally digest whats happening. The plans and buldozers will already be ready so no time is wasted.

[Metro-One]

So annoying...

Could you image how great it would be if they pushed the street car project though (at nearly the same price tag btw).

Or could you imagine if this much focus and energy went towards removing the dumpster from Vancouver and revitalizing our alleys?????

Sadly those issues are not extreme / polarizing enough for this council.

They are honestly just as narrow minded and ideologically misguided as many right wing nut job councils in the States IMO.

[trofirhen]

Imagine if this were a Warner Brothers Cartoon: we could conk them out, stars spinning 'round their heads, and put them in some sort of Cuckoo Cage.

(Unfortunately, this is not a cartoon. )

[jsbertram]

PavCo wants Georgia Viaduct to remain

The B.C. Pavilion Corporation wants the City of Vancouver to abandon plans to tear down the Georgia Viaduct, saying a re-configured Georgia Street would seriously harm business at BC Place Stadium.

Dana Hayden, the new president of the provincial Crown corporation, said removing the viaduct and extending Georgia Street to Pacific Boulevard would not only block loading entry to the newly renovated BC Place but also likely interfere with long-known plans to build a commercial tower on one corner of the property.

“Ultimately, we would like them to change their plans for the viaduct. I haven’t seen an alternative plan that doesn’t cause us problems,” Hayden said in an interview on Tuesday.

read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/PavCo+wants+Georgia+Viaduct+remain/7164170/story.html

[Metro-One]

Finally the common sense organizations are coming through!

Vision,despite their dog and pony show and list of "options" originally presented, has made 0 compromise on this issue, with their 100% removal ASAP plan.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Needs to be QUICK so it's a fait accompli before Meggs resigns as City Councillor so he can run in the coming Provincial Election in 2013 (and presumably he'll get elected and disappear in Victoria).

If it's not done by then & he loses the Provincial Election, he's still no longer a City Councillor & can't push through the demolition.

Although ... if he fails at winning a seat in the Provincial election, he could re-run in the city by-election and try to re-take the seat he vacated.


If the City doesn't make a decision before the Provincial Election (and Meggs is elected to Victoria), is there a anyone else on Council who will push his pet project through the bureaucracy?

Unfortunately I had heard that the Visionistas seeking a place at the trough in Victoria had indicated they didn't see a need to step down from their civic positions (until they were sure they had their MLA gig lined up)

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Unfortunately I had heard that the Visionistas seeking a place at the trough in Victoria had indicated they didn't see a need to step down from their civic positions (until they were sure they had their MLA gig lined up)

I heard that too, but they may reconsider when they realise how much time the Provincial Election campaign takes out of their day.

If they disappear over to Victoria, there's no guarantee that their replacements from the required City by-elections will also be Vision-ites.

Many voters will use a by-election as a way to 'shaft' the party in power without losing their majority. This may be different in 2013 depending on how many Vision-ite City Councillors get sent to Victoria.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

PavCo wants Georgia Viaduct to remain

The B.C. Pavilion Corporation wants the City of Vancouver to abandon plans to tear down the Georgia Viaduct, saying a re-configured Georgia Street would seriously harm business at BC Place Stadium.

Dana Hayden, the new president of the provincial Crown corporation, said removing the viaduct and extending Georgia Street to Pacific Boulevard would not only block loading entry to the newly renovated BC Place but also likely interfere with long-known plans to build a commercial tower on one corner of the property.

“Ultimately, we would like them to change their plans for the viaduct. I haven’t seen an alternative plan that doesn’t cause us problems,” Hayden said in an interview on Tuesday.

read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/PavCo+wants+Georgia+Viaduct+remain/7164170/story.html

This seems to be the city council's actual goal. From denying the gaming expansion application to campaigning against the stadium's external video screens to smothering the zone in residential development to tearing down useful transportation infrastructure, the city's entire approach has seemingly been designed to choke the very life out of BC Place and the entire entertainment zone.

In its crusade against the Liberal provincial government, the city seems prepared to undermine one of Vancouver's jewels and the future potential of Vancouver's one true sports/entertainment zone.

[s211]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Unfortunately I had heard that the Visionistas seeking a place at the trough in Victoria had indicated they didn't see a need to step down from their civic positions (until they were sure they had their MLA gig lined up)

Ugh. A provincial government littered with Visionistas. I think I just threw up in my @ss.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Unfortunately I had heard that the Visionistas seeking a place at the trough in Victoria had indicated they didn't see a need to step down from their civic positions (until they were sure they had their MLA gig lined up)

And even then... Frank Ney simultaneously was Mayor and MLA for Nanaimo 1969-72.... This feat was aided by quick costume changes, from a Pirate Costume to The Full Nanaimo.

http://tinyurl.com/8ne7atu

Back on topic... plebiscite! Considering the huge cost of the proposal, and the long term consequences, this must be put to a plebiscite.

A bit of history... Replacing the Cambie Bridge was opposed by most of those attending this council meeting on March 11 1983, but was approved in a plebiscite on March 14 1984 http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=06FlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gowNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3252%2C16427

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by Dave2

A bit of history... Replacing the Cambie Bridge was opposed by most of those attending this council meeting on March 11 1983, but was approved in a plebiscite on March 14 1984 http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=06FlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gowNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3252%2C16427

An article from 1982 quotes Harry Rankin advocating running the ALRT underground along Commercial Drive. Funded by cancelling Expo '86, and keeping the Connaught Bridge for another 30 years, until the year 2012.

[radacal]

Demolition of the viaducts on next UDP agenda. Should be interesting - anyone able to attend and report?

[Alex Mackinnon]

Where and when is it?

[radacal]

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/pdf/committees/agenda-urban-design-panel-20121010.pdf

[Alex Mackinnon]

Is anyone else planning on showing up at this tomorrow night?

[Hed Kandi]

..

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

I can't make it, but if you go tell them that I'm all in favour of tearing these things down.

Don't tell them that!

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Don't tell them that!

You also have to include that he will shit on any design that goes up in place of them, and he thinks everything else in the COV makes him vomit since 1886.

[wrenegade]

I will most likely be there tomorrow. It is Urban Design Panel though, the citizenry can make comments to the panel but not ask questions. And comments to the panel don't necessarily elicit a response. Regardless, I am interested in staff's presentation and comments from the panel.