Downtown Vancouver Updates

[SeymourDrake]

New Park: Spaces available for the new multi-level homeless camp. Electricity, running water, drugs, gang recruitment, 5 finger discount market.

Soft opening December 25th, 2021.

[TwoFace]

Has this received any approvals yet?
...https://listingsprod.blob.core.windows.n...c2c/e335392d-dd9e-4d2b-b6e1-9f0775baf451

[officedweller]

There's an Arno Matis sign on it and someone said it's for an office building.
Don't thnk it has been submitted yet.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by TwoFace

Has this received any approvals yet?
...https://listingsprod.blob.core.windows.n...c2c/e335392d-dd9e-4d2b-b6e1-9f0775baf451

There isn't an application to approve yet. Probably the rumoured Arno Matis / Bene Developments project. [Ha - officedweller agrees!]

[TwoFace]

Thanks, would prefer some residential there. We are heading for a commercial glut.

[officedweller]

Found the posts:

[TwoFace]

Sounds like one of those ... don't hold your breath sites LOL
7,500 sf may not be viable for much. Boutique Hotel maybe?

[officedweller]

Yeah, GenWhy? didn't actually say it was office.

[Coldrsx]

Good ol' HN.

I used to live around the corner and had a few cocktails the back in the day.

That front door didn't work so well IIRC.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

May 30 '21, my pic

Five weeks later...





July 4 '21, my pic

[officedweller]

Thanks!

[Feathered Friend]

A Very Loopy Review Highlights The Systemic Failures In Vancouver’s Urban Design Process

625-777 Pacific St
This was easily the worst Urban Design Panel review I’ve seen, and I’ve likely attended more of them than anyone in Vancouver’s history. Granted, I am relatively young, as Hannah and I weren’t even adults when the proposal to reconfigure the Granville Loops was approved in 2002 (pg 5). Considering someone born then can now legally drink, it’s understandable why the city’s Real Estate and Facilities Management division is now seeking to revise that plan to include daycare, social, and rental housing.

Aside from the warm reception to the new street grid, their presentation was a total failure, which one landscape architect described as fine for five years ago, but not today. In fairness, nothing would have changed the opinions held by a few, along with another landscape architect. They noted a quick look at the city parks proved that Downtown was too full of people, and demanded half of these homes be eliminated, before echoing a more extreme view.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2021/07/06...ures-in-vancouvers-urban-design-process/

[GenWhy?]

Classic. At least they're volunteers, because half of what they comment on, running the clock, is irrelevant to what they are required.

City: "Do you agree with the height and massing?"

UDP: "I disagree with all City planning policies on housing in general!" (summary of 15 minute rant)

City: "What are your final comments?"

UDP: "It's decent, just more trees I guess."

<END SCENE>

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Classic. At least they're volunteers, because half of what they comment on, running the clock, is irrelevant to what they are required.

Honest question: would we get more intelligent panelists if it were paid by the hour? Or would we be wasting tax money on the exact same twitfaces?

[Aroundtheworld]

The bike lane in this proposal doesn't make any sense. If the goal is to link up with Pacific, wouldn't it make sense for it link up to the west, thereby avoiding crossing Granville?

[Klazu]

Nothing makes sense traffic wise on this plan. Getting from Pacific on and off Granville Bridge is going to be a complete joke. Just how many traffic lights can one cram into few hundred metres?

And do I see correctly that they are making Drake ONE lane? Not 1+1 but truly one single lane?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Klazu

And do I see correctly that they are making Drake ONE lane? Not 1+1 but truly one single lane?

No.

Here are the goals of the Transportation Plan published 10 years ago, approved in 2012, and slowly being implemented, bit by bit, year by year;

Land Use — Use land use to support shorter trips and sustainable transportation choices.
Walking — Make walking safe, convenient, comfortable, and delightful. Ensure streets and sidewalks support a vibrant public life and encourage a walking culture, healthy lifestyles, and social connectedness.
Cycling — Make cycling safe, convenient, comfortable, and fun for people of all ages and abilities.
Transit — Support transit improvements to increase capacity and ensure service that is fast, frequent, reliable, fully accessible, and comfortable.
Motor Vehicles – Manage the road network efficiently to improve safety and support a gradual reduction in car dependence. Make it easier to drive less. Accelerate the shift to low-carbon vehicles.

[Changing City]

City Council just approved the development of 1190 Burrard as 154 social housing units and (finally) the long-promised Qmunity Centre. It will be a 17 storey mass timber construction building.


[Image source, Changing City blog]

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Changing City

No.

I am not sure if you even read half of the links you flood post here, Andy, as that clearly shows one single travel lane along the entire Drake Street. That's down from 1+1.

I also cannot help but laugh at the notion of "make it easier to drive less" which translates to removing as much of the road infrastructure as possible to make driving as irritating as possible.

It's hilarious how going southbound on Granville Bridge from Pacific used to have no traffic lights but will now have THREE. I bet the tower dwellers above will love the endlessly idling traffic below, courtesy of City of Vancouver.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I am not sure if you even read half of the links you flood post here, Andy, as that clearly shows one single travel lane along the entire Drake Street. That's down from 1+1.

I also cannot help but laugh at the notion of "make it easier to drive less" which translates to removing as much of the road infrastructure as possible to make driving as irritating as possible.

It's hilarious how going southbound on Granville Bridge from Pacific used to have no traffic lights but will now have THREE. I bet the tower dwellers above will love the endlessly idling traffic below, courtesy of City of Vancouver.

One lane for driving, and one for either parking or turning. That's two. Yes, adding bike infrastructure and pedestrian crossing lights make driving slower. It's been the plan for 20+ years. It's unlikely to change. Relatively few cars turn from Granville to Pacific on the loop, and not that many use Drake either. As vehicles shift to electric, idling won't be as much of an issue.

Granville Bridge will be getting bike lanes soon. Drake will be getting them. There will be less space for private cars, but enough for them to still be able to move around. The number of cars being driven Downtown isn't going up. People walk, take transit or bike, and those are the greener, cleaner and quieter modes that the City will continue to encourage. Burnaby is doing the same. We're not going car free yet, (we're not as ambitious as Helsinki), but drivers of private cars are the lowest priority for transportation. They have to be - they take up the most space, and are the least efficient use of the limited space available.

As we add more people, and jobs, moving by every other mode except private cars will be prioritized. I'm not sure how you can fail to grasp the simple mathematics of it? It's not personal. They're not out to get you (although they do want you to stop driving a gas powered car that contributes to pollution and climate change). There just isn't enough space for your car, and all the other people who want to move around. So your choices are to stay home, or to take transit, bike, walk when you get here, or expect to be possibly delayed, and to find parking reduced, and more expensive. Welcome to the third decade of the 21st Century.