General Vancouver Updates - Page 313

Pinion · #**6241** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 7:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillty

How so? A casual observation tells me the amount of freight traffic through the cut is greater now than anytime in the past decade, and furthermore, I doubt BNSF is going to give up that rail corridor anytime soon.

The cut is in an awful state and this elevated plaza enhances the area significantly, so it gets my vote.

I believe some people (including me) wanted a road on top of the cut.

s211 · #**6242** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 8:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillty

How so? A casual observation tells me the amount of freight traffic through the cut is greater now than anytime in the past decade, and furthermore, I doubt BNSF is going to give up that rail corridor anytime soon.

The cut is in an awful state and this elevated plaza enhances the area significantly, so it gets my vote.

Over the years, the cut has been proposed for multi-modal transportation use.

gillty · #**6243** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinion

I believe some people (including me) wanted a road on top of the cut.

A roadway? I mean the freeway project rejection decades ago was the first nail in that coffin, then theres the BNSF right of way, millennium line guideway, and the general direction of the city that tells you everything you need to know about the possibility of a roadway through the cut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Over the years, the cut has been proposed for multi-modal transportation use.

I see in 2006 federal funding was approved for a study of multimodal use in the Grandview Cut, but I don't see anything came of fruition.

As early as 2009 City of Vancouver documents seem to refer to the cut as a 'green corridor' seeminly ruling out any such use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/grandview-woodland-community-plan-transportation-background.pdf

Grandview-Cut seen as a ‘green corridor’ - an asset owing to its urban forest, habitat, sight-line to downtown

The current state is that BNSF doesn't have any plans to end freight use of the cut, and the City which has spent the past decade consulting and moving a Grandview-Woodlands area plan forward with no such intent.

I just don't see any realistic option where the cut changes in function.

I hope the plaza goes forward, it would be a significant boost for the livability of the area extending the Commercial Drive community towards the density plans around the station.

The multilayered streetscape of having a plaza of above and below rail, combined with a great view, is just an exciting proposition that reminds me of some of the more exciting cityscapes you find best in Japan, imo. One of the better examples of this, that comes to mind, is the corridor between Iidabashi and Yotsuya Station along the JR East Chuo Line on border between Shinjuku and Chiyoda in Tokyo. The parallels between the rail use and the greenery are really strong, imo.

LeftCoaster · #**6244** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 9:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

Personally I hope this project sails through. It's overdone to say projects will be a landmark or a game changer, but I really feel this proposal will greatly add to the urban fabric of Vancouver. It's just a shame Translink wasn't willing to get on board to incorporate the station into the site, as it really could have been a far better transit experience.

Thanks FF, you have become quite the asset to this forum. Appreciate all your efforts

I too agree this proposal looks fantastic. I agree with some of the posters that more density seems appropriate given the transit of the area, but I don't know how they could have landed too much more without damaging the design. Really it's the other sites nearby that should all be this size which would take the pressure off this one site.

LeftCoaster · #**6245** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 9:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinion

I believe some people (including me) wanted a road on top of the cut.

A road to where though? It would just dump you out onto existing traffic on Grandview.

officedweller · #**6246** Posted **Jun 28, 2017, 9:44 PM**

Yeah, the possibility of constructing a deck above the BNSF tracks (for a truck route) was blocked when the M-Line zigzagged over the Cut west of Commercial Drive.

***********

Thanks for the pics!!

The stepped seating area west of Commercial Drive is begging for a "proper" stage area.
The platform should be extended westwards to allow for a deeper stage for various types of performances - including the requisite power facilities, etc.

officedweller · #**6247** Posted **Jun 29, 2017, 6:56 PM**

Sterling in Kerrisdale (49th & West Blvd)

From Cressey twitter:

https://twitter.com/CresseyGroup

Metro-One · #**6248** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 2:25 AM**

Thanks again Feathered Friend!

I must say I really like what I see with Broadway and Commercial.

That area of the cut has long been a pet peeve of mine. Always embarrassed that our busiest hub looks like a garbage dump. This will finally (hopefully) resolve that.

Given that it is a hub I would like to see some more lighting features. Not to beat a dead horse but this is the type of location where a video screen or two would be a natural fit.

Only issue is that given the location the towers should be twice the height.

osirisboy · #**6249** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 2:45 AM**

Sterling looks good!!!

And agree with metro. Could be higher to increase the fsr (assuming the floor plates remained the same size). What is it 5.2? Why are they allowing something so lo here?? But otherwise looks good

Feathered Friend · #**6250** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 7:17 PM**

Thank you for the kind words. There's been many times I've been informed about current issues/projects in our region because of this forum, and, as someone not involved in the industry, the least I can do is contribute to an excellent community; even with it's constant back and forth about malls, viaducts, politics, etc

.

I should stress that the Safeway site proposal is extremely dependent on the plaza relocation being permitted, and that the City planning department is very hesitant/nervous about making a change to the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan. In short, if people here really support this proposal, it's important to contact, not just City Council, but the city's planning department/ planners themselves and voice support for the plaza change.

Feathered Friend · #**6251** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 7:25 PM**

Speaking of developments at Commercial and Broadway, I don't think I've seen this one posted before.

Commercial at grade;
93 total units (47 secured market rental residential units and 46 market strata units);
A floor area of 5,849 m2 (62,959 sq. ft.);
A floor space ratio (FSR) of 4.0;
A height of approximately 32.3 m (105.8 ft.);
75 underground parking spaces; and
117 bicycle parking spaces.
http://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/1619-1651ebroadway/index.htm

Lease the Drive's post with info from the pre-application open house
https://www.leasethedrive.com/single-pos...e-10-storey-development-at-East-Broadway

I'm not sure if I like the aesthetics of this design, but my partner likes it, so maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet today.

Of course, more density would have been nice, but one can only accomplish so much under the community plan.

officedweller · #**6252** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 8:51 PM**

Thanks for posting - the 2 box design probably tries to reduce the bulk created by the building's height.

I still think its a shame there's no significant office development being built in that area.

osirisboy · #**6253** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 11:41 PM**

Why is bulk bad? It looks really disjointed and just draws your eye to it. I don't mind how it sets back but just keeping it all the same brick would look better.

Yeah I know they are constrained by the community plan but it's things like this that drive me nuts. It's on the busy 6 lane wide broadway and right by the busiest sky train station. And it's a short small building And it's fsr is 4!

officedweller · #**6254** Posted **Jun 30, 2017, 11:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Why is bulk bad?

NIMBYs are afraid of height.

Metro-One · #**6255** Posted **Jul 1, 2017, 2:08 AM**

If Vancouver really wants to be green in practice and not just in a self-appointed tag line it would not hesitate to build these towers (and more) around our region's busiest Skytrain station hub. But then, we can see their attitude with the future Cambie and Broadway hub...

Seriously, the stupid "green" handle needs to be earned, not simply given to oneself.

SpongeG · #**6256** Posted **Jul 1, 2017, 5:33 AM**

is there any plan for that rat infested community garden on commercial at 12th/grandview? The lot kitty corner where baskin robins used to be should be redeveloped to with some height

LeftCoaster · #**6257** Posted **Jul 4, 2017, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

NIMBYs are afraid of height.

Haha it's not just to avoid height, but to keep the lowrise feeling human scaled. I'm not sure if it is effective or not but planners and architects love neighbourhood building that involves a different expression at the pedestrian realm to keep things feeling more intimate.

I personally like the design but once again must harp on the measly 4FSR next to one of the best transit locations in the city. Makes no sense.

SpongeG · #**6258** Posted **Jul 5, 2017, 4:03 AM**

the more i look at it, the stupider it starts to look.

officedweller · #**6259** Posted **Jul 5, 2017, 8:00 PM**

Fire Hall #5 Replacement
From Mierau Contractors twitter June 29th:

https://twitter.com/MierauContract

Jebby · #**6260** Posted **Jul 5, 2017, 9:32 PM**

Are there any social housing units specifically for low income single dads?