Northeast False Creek | Proposed

[officedweller]

From the viaduct thread posted May 21, 2012:

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

I was talking to Andy with Bing Thom at the Viaducts or Viadon'ts event, and according to him, the land underneath the viaduct in 1986
was estimated to cost $180M to rehabilitate due to contamination issues from the coal gas plant that used to occupy the site.
CPI adjusted this is $372M in 2012 dollars.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174625&page=107

That area was the site of the former coal gasification plant and storage of coal.

Note in the legend the "Barrier Wall" - that was installed to prevent leachate from reaching False Creek waters
- I think the pumping station near the skate park sends the leachate into the sewer system.
There also looks to be one on the west side of Andy Livingstone Park (which is a repository for contaminated soils).




The interesting thing is that to the west (the western half of Area 6C),
which is where the residential IS proposed, there was a coal tar dump
which is Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) #31:

[logan5]

Originally Posted by officedweller

That's the site of the former coal gasification plant.

From the viaduct thread posted May 21, 2012:


http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174625&page=107

What?! I'm almost certain we could get the Chinese to launch that shit into outer space for cheaper than that.

[logan5]

With that giant tar dumping area, it looks like the whole of NEFC would be contaminated.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Aroundtheworld

IMO I don't think the seismic standards was ever a key reason for removing the viaducts, and I say this is as a supporter for their removal. Anything can be retrofitted. That said, why spend millions of dollars retrofitting something that no longer needs to exist?

No longer needs to exist? Last time I checked, which is this morning, the viaducts are still bringing thousands of people in and out of the downtown core efficiently.

You know what "no longer needs to exist" means? It means that if you make the viaducts disappear in totality this very instance by snapping your fingers, and NOT add anything to that area, the traffic pattern would still NOT be affected, and City Hall will NOT have to spend a single cent.

If you need to spend a lot more to replace them, then they DO need to exist.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by logan5

A park would seem to fit better inside an entertainment district. This is a large park that could host sizeable events and shows. You could almost fit BC Place inside that park space.

The new park will be right beside creekside park creating an even bigger park

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Always found the site contamination to be a bit of a red herring. This is some of the most expensive land on the continent. If it's not viable to ship it offsite from here then it wouldn't be viable anywhere. They could make it work, they are just choosing the cheapest way possible to do it.

Agree. And I'd also guess that the whole area is contaminated, so there's no viable excuse for the layout that uses contamination as a reason.

[Smooth]

Originally Posted by Aroundtheworld

I think the reason for keeping a small section of the viaducts is 1) Elevated Access to Rogers Arena and 2) Providing a connection for the new bike bridge now that the Dunsmuir Viaduct will be gone.

IMO I don't think the seismic standards was ever a key reason for removing the viaducts, and I say this is as a supporter for their removal. Anything can be retrofitted. That said, why spend millions of dollars retrofitting something that no longer needs to exist?

My comment regarding the City's seismic concerns comes from page 27 of the NEFC Emerging Directions for the Area Plan (January 2017):

Based on technical analysis completed between 2013 and 2015, staff determined that both viaducts are seismically at risk of collapse in the event of a moderate or severe earthquake. If the viaducts collapsed, nearby buildings could be severely damaged. The fallen viaducts would block the surface streets below and could potentially disrupt transportation on the Expo Skytrain line. To fully seismically upgrade to today’s standards, the viaducts would need to be completely rebuilt which would be cost prohibitive.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/nefc-emerging-directions.pdf

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Aroundtheworld

I think the reason for keeping a small section of the viaducts is 1) Elevated Access to Rogers Arena and 2) Providing a connection for the new bike bridge now that the Dunsmuir Viaduct will be gone.

IMO I don't think the seismic standards was ever a key reason for removing the viaducts, and I say this is as a supporter for their removal. Anything can be retrofitted. That said, why spend millions of dollars retrofitting something that no longer needs to exist?

Again, City Council is obsessed with the High Line, and they want one too. Keeping part of one viaduct as a greenway lets them have that.

[Feathered Friend]

Looks like the first week of June will be interesting for the NEFC.

On June 7th there will be a presentation about the proposed park by James Corner Field Operations. Tickets are sold out (they were free) and there's currently a wait list to get in.
http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/44577.aspx

If one doesn't get on the wait list, there will be a block party on June 10th with info about the entire plan. If the last meeting regarding the False Creek Flats was any indication, this could be quite interesting to attend.

http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/44575.aspx

Sorry for not getting this up before tickets ran out.

[dreambrother808]

New Globe & Mail article about current plans for this area

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/br...cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globe&service=mobile

[Vin]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

New Globe & Mail article about current plans for this area

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/br...cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globe&service=mobile

Love these statements:

It will become Vancouver's first lively destination park in a continuous line along the waterfront, packed with restaurants and activities.

It will introduce a new style of architecture for the new residential neighbourhood, home to as many as 15,000 new people, that ditches the city's podium-and-tower style of the 1990s.

It will create a new kind of "lane district" next to the existing Chinatown that will house dozens of independent stores and cafés

Concord may be given permission to build some extra-tall towers at the entrance to that, as gateway markers.

Others, including taking down the viaducts: not so much.

[WarrenC12]

Yes, saying all the right things. Including removing the viaducts to allow for a more complete vision of everything else.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

New Globe & Mail article about current plans for this area

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/br...cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globe&service=mobile

Thanks!

Glad to see the "bridge" building is gone in favour of one that opens up a view of BC Place.

But is the Canucks practice rink still planned for the Plaza of Nations redevelopment?


An artist’s rendering shows the concept for buildings on the Plaza of Nations / Canadian Metropolitan site. Renderings are from James Cheng Architect.
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/br...cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globe&service=mobile

Then, in one part of the residential area closest to Chinatown, Mr. Hruda has come up with the concept of a lane district, similar to one that exists in Melbourne, Australia, where the entire area will have small commercial spaces at the ground level with housing above.

"I called it an 'indie lane district,' a place for small business, an incubator district," Mr. Hruda said.

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/br...cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globe&service=mobile

The DTES drug users will LOVE the Lane District.....

[retro_orange]

Yes and the young independent minded 'indie' crowd just loves to hang out in a new grey concrete alley surrounded by condos sold off to investors. Get real.

Unless they rent the spaces at super cheap (read: a big loss) get ready for a Starbucks laneway concept and a bunch of vacant retail space.

[BodomReaper]

The Canadian Metropolitan site looks disappointingly low-density, though the sliver of the Concord lands visible in the rendering looks promising.

Also, glad to see city hall finally waking-up to the fact that the overwhelming majority of waterfront space in the city is wasted on empty lawns with no commercial.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

Also, glad to see city hall finally waking-up to the fact that the overwhelming majority of waterfront space in the city is wasted on empty lawns with no commercial.

[logan5]

I like the idea of a lane district but the city always bandies about interesting ideas then doesn't follow through, so I won't get my hopes up. OK, maybe I'll get my hopes up a little bit.

If you surround the lane district with rental buildings, it has a better chance of succeeding imo. Visual variation with the retail facades is a must, along with other higher grade streetscape elements.

In the end though we'll probly end up with nothing better than what Olympic Village is.

[christmas]

I actually don't think removing the viaducts is all that bad. Especially since it can be used as a vantage point to look out at the skyline, and the mountains.
This is how Seoul did it recently: "Seoullo"








Since we're saving some parts of the viaduct leading into downtown, I think the idea below is a thing to take note of:


http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1863318&page=4

[Feathered Friend]

All images from the City of Vancouver website.
http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/park-design.aspx

The waterfront extends deep into the park following the historic Carrall Street along a water-to-water, north-south axis, and features a series of social and play spaces framed by an elevated pedestrian bridge and a ground-level promenade.

A collection of garden beds planted with a mixture of seasonally-diverse meadow grasses, perennials, bulbs, and flowering shrubs allow for a tranquil and ever-changing park experience.

Rain water is collected from parkland and elevated structures and conveyed through a sequence of wetlands, which purifies the water in a diverse habitat display.

The Splash Plaza offers a safe opportunity to interact with water, reinforcing the connection to False Creek. It's a flexible feature that can support play, public art, and programmed events when turned off.

The skate plaza anchors the active corner of Quebec Street and Pacific Boulevard. The highly visible canopy above the plaza serves both as a welcoming beacon and provides cover for skaters and spectators alike.

The Dunsmuir Elevated Park is on top of highlands facing south, providing uninterrupted views over the park and to the creek beyond. It's a great place to stop and relax.

A simple pavilion offers flexible community event space and a food and beverage destination within the park, with plenty of space for tables and chairs under the tree canopy or open to the sky

A flexible green open space for relaxing, gathering, celebrating, and enjoying views of False Creek.

The park integrates a rich mix of spaces, multipurpose features, sports fields, fitness spaces, and landscape elements that encourage play for all ages.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/nefc-park-draft-concept-plan-map.pdf


Overall, the park looks like it will simultaneously please and anger more than a few on the forum. Does that mean it succeeds as a good plan?
I do feel incorporating that Surf Park idea would have been something potentially really unique for the area, but perhaps it would have been more of a gimmick than an actual success. Regardless, that idea has come and gone.

What shouldn't be overlooked is what appears to be the footprint layout for the future buildings planned for the area. The City is still saying there will be more info to come at the Wednesday and Saturday events. Hopefully that's the case so my Wednesday night isn't wasted.

Oops, I just noticed that Dreambrother808 made a similar post here: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7825912&postcount=4888 in the Viaducts Thread, while I was typing this up. I'll keep my post up and leave it up to the mods if they feel it should come down as a double post.

[excel]

Definitely a safe design. Nothing too special but still looks pretty good to me overall.