Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project | Completed

[spm2013]

They should fence off the plaza charge an admission for the view so we can make some money off of the tourists.

[SFUVancouver]

They do this sort of thing all the time at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto and it definitely adds activity to the place. It might not be your personal cup of tea or match your ideas of how public and quasi-public spaces should be used, but there is ample precedent for it here and abroad.

I think that interventions like this are fine and add to the dynamism of our outdoor public spaces. I'm fine with it provided that they do not bar the public from accessing the space - save for short-term exclusive use events - nor block access to the 'good parts' of the space and primary circulation routes. I would also like a portion of the proceeds from these rentals to go into a 'community use' fund that would defray the cost of using the space for public events, and it couldn't hurt to earmark a portion of the rental fee for maintenance to keep the space in a state of good repair over time, as opposed to letting it run down and develop building envelope issues then doing a major renovation, à la Robson Square. I know these events are essentially windfalls, but it couldn't hurt to ensure the public and the operating entity (PAVCO) get good mileage out of them.

[spm2013]

Anyone want to come up with a ballpark figure on how much BMW is paying to use the space for a month?

Here's the VCC's booking policy for the plaza:

We welcome inquiries for booking the Jack Poole Plaza for special events. The Plaza is also available for community use to eligible community users a minimum of 3 days per month based on availability. An eligible community user is a society incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia, or a not for profit corporation incorporated under a federal statute for not for profit entities and must operate a non-profit entity in the City of Vancouver and has social, cultural or community purposes.

And it's more than just a display, there are a bunch of journalists (ie. hotel rooms, restaurant meals) involved in this exhibit:

BMW has picked Vancouver as the place to launch its redesigned 2014 X5 SUV line.

A large wooden structure at the Vancouver Convention Centre's Jack Poole Plaza has been erected and the vehicle inside is covered with a large sheet.

A security guard out front is not letting anyone in to see the new BMW while it is still under wraps.

According to BMW's Chrestophe Koenig, the automaker chose Vancouver to launch the new X5 gas and diesel models because of the stunning beauty of the region.

"It is such a fantastic city and fits well into the launch of the vehicle," Koenig said.

The official launch of the BMW X5 SUV is Nov. 12.

"This is the international launch," said Koenig. "We have journalists from 35 countries coming to Vancouver to take the cars out on the road."

Koenig said the company has 30 X5s in Vancouver for test rides.

"Here the roads are perfect for the test rides," he said.

On Thursday, test rides were happening on the highway to Whistler.

And while the X5 can hit speeds of 250 km/h, Koenig said the rides done in the next few weeks will be much slower.

"You can speed on some German highways," he said. "Here we respect the speed limits."

According to the Vancouver Convention Centre's Jinny Wu, BMW will keep the wood pavilion in place until Sept. 27. "They selected Vancouver as the site for the launch, which is exciting," said Wu.

The BMW launch will bring in approximately 400 international automotive, lifestyle and business trade journalists to Vancouver, Wu said.

She would not discuss the cost associated with renting space on the plaza.
Wu said that in the past few years, the Jack Poole Plaza has been used for a variety of community activities, special events and film shoots and other automobile launches, all revenue generators.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Pool...199/story.html

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by officedweller

There are already a couple of commercial enterprises on Jack Poole Plaza - Cactus Club and Tap & Barrel - why discriminate based on product offering?

I don't discriminate. I find some of those inappropriate as well, especially the latter, which flagrantly intrudes on the public space (or what -should- be a public space).

[osirisboy]

Just relax! There's still plenty of room on the plaza for the public to use.

[officedweller]

There are lots of examples of public plazas without any commercial uses - but they tend to be the ones devoid of life.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by EdinVan

I don't discriminate. I find some of those inappropriate as well, especially the latter, which flagrantly intrudes on the public space (or what -should- be a public space).

I guess the restaurants should also be banned from having patios on the plaza, since those intrude on public space

[jlousa]

Not exactly Convention centre related but it's close enough.
The Nike statue given to Vancouver by Athens for us hosting the games will finally be installed. They are building the base right now at Cordova and Thurlow (work began Aug 19th) in the median. Unveiling isn't expected until Oct 18th, 2months later.

[ckkelley]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Not exactly Convention centre related but it's close enough.
The Nike statue given to Vancouver by Athens for us hosting the games will finally be installed. They are building the base right now at Cordova and Thurlow (work began Aug 19th) in the median. Unveiling isn't expected until Oct 18th, 2months later.

Cool news. Any idea what the hold up was, turmoil in Greece or local bureaucracy?

[jlousa]

Well we've had the statue for a while so...

[Spork]

Only took 2 years to sign a contract and another 2 years to start installation: http://canada.greekreporter.com/2011...find-new-home/

EDIT: Drawings took a year to finalize: http://www.olympicprojects.com/downl...20Drawings.pdf

[ckkelley]

Wow, unbelievable.

[GeeCee]

They had to make sure that it wouldn't obscure any view cones.

Isn't it a bit silly to be putting it up on the viaduct if they're looking at tearing them down in the next few years though?

[spm2013]

Hope they bolt it down properly.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

They had to make sure that it wouldn't obscure any view cones.

Isn't it a bit silly to be putting it up on the viaduct if they're looking at tearing them down in the next few years though?

It's on Cordova St. which is technically a viaduct for parts of downtown. The street level is actually quite elevated from natural ground level.

It's not the Georgia/Dunsmuir Viaduct.

[subdude]

The sh*t shack is gone!



Photo by me

[Jimbo604]

Originally Posted by TwoFace

Source: Previous post

This sh*tshack??

[Vin]

Originally Posted by spm2013

Hope they bolt it down properly.

Do you think it fits a Safeway shopping cart?

[spm2013]

They got it covered the foundation cost $100,000 to build.

BTW..

One of the most audacious British art thefts, the disappearance of a two-tonne Henry Moore sculpture worth £3m, has been solved by police, who believe that the internationally revered Reclining Figure sculpture was melted down and sold for no more than £1,500.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddes...clining-figure

[Jimbo604]

Photo credit: me

No sign of any change on restaurant slated for open space where ""Habour Air Westcoast Air Checkin" yellow & blue sign is in the pictures.