Robson Square Renovations

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Ever since the old Connaught Bridge (which connected to Robson) was replaced by the current Cambie Bridge (connecting to Smithe and Nelson),
Robson has declined in status as a transportation corridor.
Its role as a shopping street has risen, while its role as a transportation corridor has waned.

If they opened up Haro to traffic - and removed this restriction (pic below), Smithe / Haro would connect into the West End.

Alternatively, Thurlow could be made 2-way north of Nelson (or for its entire length) to access other east-west streets.
With the changes at the north end of the Burrard Bridge, you probably don't want a massive flow down Thurlow to Burrard Bridge anymore,
since the right turn (eastbound Pacific to bridge) will be a traffic light controlled movement.


http://www.bing.com/mapspreview?q=robson+and+haro+vancouver&mkt=en&FORM=HDRSC4

Don't forget you are threading on NIMBY grounds, and that crazy cat lady would go wild if you suggest having major traffic flowing through her neighbourhood. Can't touch sensitive West End lands.

[Klazu]

Well, I actually like that they have calmed traffic on all other West End streets than Nelson. I don't think of West End as just a residential area. To me it's almost like a park, with nice, quiet and green streets to roam. It's also not just for Westernders to enjoy, but anyone living in Downtown can enjoy its beauty and peace.

Let's keep it that way.

[officedweller]

It would really be an exchange - there would be reduced traffic on Robson.

[Klazu]

I just don't think there is a need for such a trade-off. Everyone is having the mindset that there has to be car connection and parking on Robson Street. I don't think there has to be.

Yes, the street parking is always full, but I think those cars contribute only 1-2% to the businesses along that street. A vast majority comes from pedestrian traffic. I would never consider driving Downtown to shop on Robson Street. There is absolutely nothing that special about the place.

Buses could use West Georgia instead. It's close enough, as the blocks are short in north-south direction.

[BCPhil]

I don't mind closing the one block to private vehicles, but I feel the roadway is indispensable to transit. The 005 bus provides a direct connection between the Robson "Mall" and Granville "Mall". It directly connects residents and businesses of the West End to connecting transit (mainly the buses) that serve most of the rest of the city. On Granville it is a direct transfer to 9 other bus routes, Canada Line, and Expo line.

I've always thought one day they could get rid of most of the street parking and have streetcar service on Robson to the West End in dedicated lanes. But without being able to get through Robson Square to other transit connections it makes routing the tracks around it and keeping them in dedicated lanes difficult.

The amount of space the roadway takes up is not that significant, and is bounded mostly by obstacles that prevent it from being a true open square (landscaped hill, courthouse stairs, the opening to the plaza bellow). But you could always run just a single track through the square minimizing the real estate it takes up.

[mcminsen]

So, the fencing and mesh has come down. A couple of quick shots from the bus today.



April 24 '16, my pics

[osirisboy]

Umm. What was the point of putting the fence up?? I thought they were actually starting construction on the plaza

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

I've always thought one day they could get rid of most of the street parking and have streetcar service on Robson to the West End in dedicated lanes. But without being able to get through Robson Square to other transit connections it makes routing the tracks around it and keeping them in dedicated lanes difficult.

There would be no need to reroute streetcar tracks due to closed Robson Square. Europe is full of pedestrian zones and squares that streetcars tracks cross. This is one of the benefit of streetcar vs. buses; one can have fully pedestrianized streets, yet allow public transportation by rails. Pedestrians have it easy to anticipate streetcar's slow movements, as it travels on its fixed rails.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Umm. What was the point of the fence?

To protect the busy sidewalks on all three sides from the flying sawdust, dirt, leaves and stuff as the contractor got rid of the trees. Maybe it will sit for a while now before the next phase of demolition, which could be really noisy and dusty as they jackhammer the concrete. As the process continues I will be better able to reimagine the space as the old stuff gets cleared away.

[Spork]

Weren't the fences to prevent the 4/20 celebration from congregating there since it was officially moved to Sunset beach?

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by Spork

Weren't the fences to prevent the 4/20 celebration from congregating there since it was officially moved to Sunset beach?

The timing of the tree removal and necessary fencing was probably a convenient way of preventing people from gathering. But, there was still a small 420 gathering on the south side of the art gallery.

[officedweller]

Moreover, it was probably also to hide the land clearing from public view.

[mcminsen]

April 25 '16, my pics

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Regarding water falls.

Who manages Robson square? The city, province, private company? I would love to phone/email them and ask them why the water falls aren't on. Anyone know?

Maintenance?

It was dead today. There's something about fountains and cascading water that is magnetic and draws people over. I really wish the north plaza would have some built in water feature (like down at Harbour Green Park) that could be turned on when the plaza is not hosting an event. Then, when an event is happening it could be turned off and the fountain area would be walkable. It wouldn't need to have any walls around it or anything sticking up if the pavement was sloping very slightly to the centre where it would drain. Or even keep it flat but put drains with grates on the perimeter.


April 25 '16, my pics

[mcminsen]

Imagine something like this in the centre of the north plaza. When it's off it's mostly flat and walkable pavement. When it's on it's a great centrepiece. Oh, and put lights shining up from the pavement so it's a great display at night.


March 22 '16, my pic

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Maintenance?

There's something about fountains and cascading water that is magnetic and draws people over.

Without a doubt. It provides a delightful and refreshing focus point and sense of destination. Moreover, in the case of Robson Square South, the cascading waterfalls are an unequivocally integral part of Erickson's architectural design. Without them, the architecture has been stripped of an essential component. It is rendered glaringly incoherent and incomplete.

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I really wish the north plaza would have some built in water feature (like down at Harbour Green Park) that could be turned on when the plaza is not hosting an event. Then, when an event is happening it could be turned off and the fountain area would be walkable. It wouldn't need to have any walls around it or anything sticking up if the pavement was sloping very slightly to the centre where it would drain. Or even keep it flat but put drains with grates on the perimeter.

If they are serious about not including a new water feature as part of the North Plaza redesign, it will be a stunning omission, a great loss for Vancouverites and a bone-headed decision that citizens will lament for years to come until a more intelligent city council remedies the stupidity.

Montreal:


758T7718 by Nick Kozub, on Flickr


758T7777 by Nick Kozub, on Flickr


758T7734 by Nick Kozub, on Flickr


758T7773 by Nick Kozub, on Flickr


Montreal at Night by LorenzMao, on Flickr


DSC_0408 by hines_christine, on Flickr


DSC_0403 by hines_christine, on Flickr


DSC_0405 by hines_christine, on Flickr

[mcminsen]

It might be hard to believe, but the sidewalks and streets around this plaza were teeming with people and life when I took this picture. A few (I presume tourists) stopped to take pictures from Georgia Street and then left.



2:08 PM Wednesday June 8 '16, my pic

[trofirhen]

Agreed that this plaza does merit a water feature. It is not vast as plazas go, so the water feature doesn't need to be huge and elaborate, but a tall, slender fountain would go well.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Regarding water falls.

Who manages Robson square? The city, province, private company? I would love to phone/email them and ask them why the water falls aren't on. Anyone know?

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Maintenance?

It was dead today.

April 25 '16, my pics

Still dead.


June 12 '16, my pics
..

..

[osirisboy]

Who manages the property?