Quote:
Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut
Because they're more of an obstacle to the city's growth than an asset these days. Ever tried to walk from the seawall or OV to the rest of downtown? It'd be a lot easier (or at least much more pleasant) with direct access to Georgia and no giant vacant lots.
The 2015 cost for replacing the viaducts was $104 million; applying the same cost creep, that means ~$200 million in 2018 and likely even more now. So that's not cheap either.
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the article Farmer posted, stated the 2018 cost of 438 million. so probably closer to 600 million now that is is 6yrs later, post pandemic. probably even higher.
the viaducts aren't why the land is vacant around here. that's a straw-mans argument. there is A LOT of land that is well clear of the viaducts. this is nothing but a way to make development easier for a billionaire by using tax payers to subsidize it. period. this isn't a complete list.
there are SO MANY projects that this city needs. some are very important. do we really want to piss away upwards of $600 million to remove unobtrusive viaducts that are not even at end of life? just so what, we can make more $$$ for a billionaire developer? there is more than enough empty land that can be developed with them right in place.
and imagine what could be done if INTEGRATING into the viaducts. building along the seawall, with a pedestrian & bike path that meanders up along to connect to a pathway that is build at the viaducts elevation. you could walk right from the seawall, up into downtown without ever needing to cross a road, intersection, traffic, etc. there would be stairs and a meandering path as well. plantings with trees, etc.
imagine creating a pedestrian area up there. attached to the buildings, like a upper level lobby. then the ground level becoming a covered space, activated for use by people with storefronts, maybe a market, whatever else, etc.
(this is done elsewhere). it would cost the developer more, but i am sure the billionaire could handle it. better than us subsidising him.
but no, we aren't that kind of city. we would rather piss away $$$ so we can subsidize some billionaire developer and end up with something worse. why have imagination when we can copy-paste towers with 0 thought about it. that is "vancouverism," isn't it? unimaginative, generic, same colours, copy-pasted buildings around the city.