General Vancouver Updates

[jollyburger]

Seems like that Westbank Gastown project might be topping out soon. It's a lot taller than I had expected.

[SpongeG]

The lack of parking may be a concern for some, but locals will be happy.

Vancouver approves plan to turn Commercial Drive into pedestrian-first ‘high street’

https://globalnews.ca/news/7900729/commercial-drive-pedestrian-first/

[s211]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

The lack of parking may be a concern for some, but locals will be happy.

Vancouver approves plan to turn Commercial Drive into pedestrian-first ‘high street’

https://globalnews.ca/news/7900729/commercial-drive-pedestrian-first/

And in related news, the Woke of Vancouver demand that "Drive" be struck from the name of the right-of-way.

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

The lack of parking may be a concern for some, but locals will be happy.

Vancouver approves plan to turn Commercial Drive into pedestrian-first ‘high street’

https://globalnews.ca/news/7900729/commercial-drive-pedestrian-first/

This probably should have gone into the Metro Vancouver Bike/Pedestrian Discussion thread, but since we're here anyways.

It should be noted that it was Councilors Fry, and De Genova who brought this forward, and that it received the unanimous approval of the Greens, NPA, and the former NPA members. That also included an amendment from Councillor De Genova which specifically prohibits bike lanes of any form from being incorporated into the design.

The original motion is here,
https://council.vancouver.ca/20210518/documents/b4.pdf

and there's a fairly good (albeit partisan toned) tweet thread of what went down, and what is included in the motion here at the link below

https://twitter.com/pwaldkirch/status/1398048867774386176?s=20

[WarrenC12]

I would definitely support a more walk-friendly Commercial drive. There is no room for a separated bike lane though. It's not a wide street, compared to something like Main or other arterials.

It has 4 lanes. Take up some of the parking lane with patios, the rest can remain parking. The main lanes need to be wide enough for buses, and then have left turn lanes where there is space.

[djmk]

The old A&B Sound on Hastings and Cassiar is currently being knocked down

[GenWhy?]

During COVID the BIA's have really helped display local businesses willingness to add more pedestrian space for commerce in lieu of parking.

Commercial Street is way better now. It's really just becoming what it's imagined / held up to be.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

During COVID the BIA's have really helped display local businesses willingness to add more pedestrian space for commerce in lieu of parking.

Commercial Street is way better now. It's really just becoming what it's imagined / held up to be.

Agreed. Its going to be a heck of a big ask to have business remove the patios they built over the last year.

Are these street patios a permanent fixture now?

[LeftCoaster]

Canadian Cancer Society turned out pretty good, the solar shading element helped hide a pretty boring facade.

510 W Broadway on the other hand I am not a fan of. Turned out to be a bit of a hodge podge with little design direction and not much visual interest. Fitting really that the City's planning and development department's new home is in this building.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Canadian Cancer Society turned out pretty good, the solar shading element helped hide a pretty boring facade.

510 W Broadway on the other hand I am not a fan of. Turned out to be a bit of a hodge podge with little design direction and not much visual interest. Fitting really that the City's planning and development department's new home is in this building.

Random splotches of colour and boxy indentations that look better in renderings.

[s211]

Originally Posted by rofina

Agreed. Its going to be a heck of a big ask to have business remove the patios they built over the last year.

Are these street patios a permanent fixture now?

Nah. Just wait for a soaker winter season. That'll kill 'em.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by rofina

Agreed. Its going to be a heck of a big ask to have business remove the patios they built over the last year.

Are these street patios a permanent fixture now?

I think they'll let them keep them for the rest of the year since indoor seating will still be limited. If they want to keep them permanently I'm sure the city will jack up the rates to use the space.

[GenWhy?]

The more typical ones you see recently are the temporary free permit versions. I think last I read they were between 400-500 patios in the city. That's a lot to put back in the bag.

Pre-COVID the City was moving in the direction of making it easier to get one / apply (lots of red tape for "structure-like" ones). I think after this summer, much like the BIA's plans for Gastown and Commercial Drive, the lasting effects of this will still be felt into summer of 2022 and beyond. The easing of liquor restrictions has been the biggest road block removed. Denman didn't have a patio culture, for instance, now it does. It's like night and day.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Pre-COVID the City was moving in the direction of making it easier to get one / apply (lots of red tape for "structure-like" ones). I think after this summer, much like the BIA's plans for Gastown and Commercial Drive, the lasting effects of this will still be felt into summer of 2022 and beyond. The easing of liquor restrictions has been the biggest road block removed. Denman didn't have a patio culture, for instance, now it does. It's like night and day.

Main St. too, it's amazing.

Obviously not a 12 months/year type of situation, but it should still be allowed in summer months. For those that want to make a more permanent year-round space, that should be easy too.

[logan5]

The run of patios definitely make Main Street more lively and interesting, along with other areas. If these patio spaces could be made permanent, then you will see businesses put a lot of effort into making these spaces attractive through colourful and interesting design ideas, as opposed to the temporary spaces we have now. It's a huge opportunity to really improve the pedestrian realm, especially in areas where there is a run of generic retail. Those areas could really be transformed.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I think they'll let them keep them for the rest of the year since indoor seating will still be limited. If they want to keep them permanently I'm sure the city will jack up the rates to use the space.

Now that you mention it, that's a much more reliable income stream than paid parking and fines...

[officedweller]

From Lawrence Black twitter May 30:

2021 Cypress


https://twitter.com/LawrenceBlackTV

[Zepfancouver]

A post on reddit
BAD BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN VANCOUVER

[Metro-One]

Jesus. Man craftsmanship is terrible in Canada. Does anyone actually take pride in their work anymore? Or is that now considered part of the colonial patriarchy?

The last place I rented in south Van before moving to Japan had similar issues. It was a new house (rented basement) and one night the pipes upstairs burst and water flooded my living room. The funniest thing is almost nothing was level. The door frames were so crooked it looked as if it were a Tim Burton film.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

A post on reddit
BAD BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN VANCOUVER

The post got removed