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Originally Posted by Aroundtheworld
I used to frequent that area a lot and I wouldn't mind it becoming a plaza. Bute is already blocked off at several points along the route so I can't really see it hurting car traffic to create this plaza.
Also, having recently come back from travels where I visited places like Zurich and Milan I think one of the things that Vancouver is still missing is true pedestrian precincts. I noticed in both cities that most streets are designed for pedestrians with cafes and plazas, however, they do allow access for the occasional vehicle. It works pretty well there and I could see it definitely working in many parts of the West End, Robson, Gastown and Yaletown.
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I pass through this area every day, and I was elated to see the plaza under construction on Thursday.
By Friday afternoon, it was packed full of people on the tables and chairs. So wonderful.
For those of you saying 'there's already a plaza one block to the south' - well yes, that is true, but this has quite a different function. The plaza to the south is a residential-oriented walk through space that functions more as a pocket park, while this is more retail, food/beverage and activities-oriented.
Yes, access to the two-block stretch of Haro between Thurlow and Jervis is more restricted now, but I doubt the folks living along there mind a slight detour (only if they are driving), especially with the reduction in through traffic along Bute SB -> Haro EB towards Thurlow.
Tactical urbanism FTW!
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.. Seems if Vision is mulling a permanent plaza, you can bet it's gonna happen. If it does become permanent, they'll need to allow right turns again off Robson to Jervis otherwise West End access is going to become extremely difficult, just like it is from Davie now.
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