[North Vancouver] Lower Lonsdale | Rebirth of a Neighbourhood - Page 7

Smooth · #**121** Posted **Apr 6, 2011, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinion

Is it correct to say the main Cap U is "Lynn Valley?" I've always thought of it more as Seymour since it's closer to Seymour river (barely). It's on the crest of the two valleys if anything.

It's definitely not Lynn Valley. I think it would be considered Lynnmour.

EDIT: Looking on Google Maps, they show Lynn Valley & West Lynn on the west side of Lynn Creek, Lynnmour between Lynn Creek and Seymour River, and Maplewood then Blueridge to the east of Seymour River.

wrenegade · #**122** Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 9:44 PM**

Intracorp has launched their website for the Versatile Building. Just pre-marketing and registration now. I was surprised to see prices starting at $280k though.

Rusty Gull · #**123** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 6:23 AM**

Isn't that cheap? $300k doesn't buy much in that area. That will be a nice building at a great location.

Pinion · #**124** Posted **Apr 14, 2011, 6:38 AM**

Yeah I'm basically across the street in a 36 year old 570sq foot condo that was officially assessed by an inspector at $300,000 earlier this year.

Rusty Gull · #**125** Posted **May 15, 2011, 1:25 AM**

Low Level Road hearing date moved to May 25

NORTH SHORE NEWS APRIL 29, 2011

A new public hearing on the Low Level Road upgrades has been set for May 25.

The meeting, to be hosted jointly by the City of North Vancouver and Port Metro Vancouver, is in response to concerns raised by the city at an April 4 council workshop that not all neighbours had the chance to comment on the project or fully understand the proposed changes in the original February consultation period.

The proposals would see the Low Level Road moved further up the slope to accommodate two new train tracks, while two new overpasses would be built over the tracks.

A delegation from the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition also came to council last week, asking staff working on the project with Port Metro Vancouver to give a second-look to lessening the slopes on the new road and adding barriers to separate car and truck traffic from cyclists.

The road is currently heavily used by cyclists as the only flat connection from Lower Lynn to Lower Lonsdale, said Heather Drugge, a North Shore member of the VACC. She said the proposed grades for the new road where the road rises from the intersection at Cotton Road to meet the new overpass to Neptune Terminals are too steep for many cyclists. "While I think there's going to be many benefits for cyclists, the major problem for cyclists is that it takes away our flat route," she said.

The hearing was originally scheduled for May 4 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, but had to be moved to a larger venue. The new time is 5:30-8:30 p.m. on May 25 at the Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel, 138 Victory Ship Way, with the town hall portion beginning at 6:30.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

wrenegade · #**126** Posted **May 16, 2011, 3:45 AM**

There has been a rezoning application submitted for 129 West 2nd St to built a 6 storey building. No other details so far it doesn't seem. No date for the public hearing yet either.

Pinion · #**127** Posted **May 16, 2011, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

Low Level Road hearing date moved to May 25

NORTH SHORE NEWS APRIL 29, 2011

A new public hearing on the Low Level Road upgrades has been set for May 25.

The meeting, to be hosted jointly by the City of North Vancouver and Port Metro Vancouver, is in response to concerns raised by the city at an April 4 council workshop that not all neighbours had the chance to comment on the project or fully understand the proposed changes in the original February consultation period.

The proposals would see the Low Level Road moved further up the slope to accommodate two new train tracks, while two new overpasses would be built over the tracks.

A delegation from the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition also came to council last week, asking staff working on the project with Port Metro Vancouver to give a second-look to lessening the slopes on the new road and adding barriers to separate car and truck traffic from cyclists.

The road is currently heavily used by cyclists as the only flat connection from Lower Lynn to Lower Lonsdale, said Heather Drugge, a North Shore member of the VACC. She said the proposed grades for the new road where the road rises from the intersection at Cotton Road to meet the new overpass to Neptune Terminals are too steep for many cyclists. "While I think there's going to be many benefits for cyclists, the major problem for cyclists is that it takes away our flat route," she said.

The hearing was originally scheduled for May 4 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, but had to be moved to a larger venue. The new time is 5:30-8:30 p.m. on May 25 at the Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel, 138 Victory Ship Way, with the town hall portion beginning at 6:30.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Will we ever hear about making low level road go along the waterfront to West Van again (rather than turn a corner and cut through the awful reservation road)? That was the part of the re-design I was excited about.

Rusty Gull · #**128** Posted **May 17, 2011, 1:38 AM**

^ I guess I'm the only person who likes that little stretch of lower level road going through the reserve between North Van and West Van? I always feel like I've left the Lower Mainland and have entered some idyllic stretch of the interior - complete with fruit stands, roadside smoked salmon dealers, and of course the requisite bumpy road.

Rusty Gull · #**129** Posted **May 17, 2011, 1:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

There has been a rezoning application submitted for 129 West 2nd St to built a 6 storey building. No other details so far it doesn't seem. No date for the public hearing yet either.

Yes, it's for that little patch of weeds where now stands the derelict Lonsdale Electrical building. I love that little building - it stands alone between all of the new condo highrises in that neighbourhood.

Anyways, in the greater scheme of things it's a good thing. That part of the 'hood is probably the bright light of the area - and least when the city feels like maintaining Jack Loucks courtyard.

Pinion · #**130** Posted **May 17, 2011, 6:08 AM**

I do like the "different country" feel too, just wish it wasn't part of my super secret locals-only shortcut across the north shore. I have fantasies of driving well into West Van in under 10 minutes.

jozero · #**131** Posted **May 18, 2011, 4:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

^ I guess I'm the only person who likes that little stretch of lower level road going through the reserve between North Van and West Van? I always feel like I've left the Lower Mainland and have entered some idyllic stretch of the interior - complete with fruit stands, roadside smoked salmon dealers, and of course the requisite bumpy road.

Thats not the low road, you are thinking of 1st. The low road is by the Cargill plant on way to Second Narrows bridge. They want to massively increase the height of the road by 15 meters (high as a telephone pole), mostly the height is to save expense with the change. It will benefit the port by allowing them to add 2 more tracks, and to have longer trains (more engines). They also claim lower overall noise due to less decoupling of trains, but my guess is overall noise will increase due to elevated road. They are offering to pay for the road, and the pedestrian/bike bridge that will cross over 3rd as part of the Spirit Trail.

Most of the public outrage is the height of the proposed road. Its being done that high to save cost on the retaining wall. Most people are asking for the proposed road to be lowered.

I'm not fully for or against the road, but the render they made for the project is hilarious. It has one truck, 2 or 3 cars, and bunch of bicyclists and a woman walking her dog. Yah, I'm sure lots of people will be walking their dog by a busy road, tons of train noise, piles of coal, all by huge dirty cement pillars. My guess is the ridiculous presentation is part of the outrage, no one is going to believe that idealized picture.

wrenegade · #**132** Posted **May 18, 2011, 5:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jozero

Thats not the low road, you are thinking of 1st. The low road is by the Cargill plant on way to Second Narrows bridge. They want to massively increase the height of the road by 15 meters (high as a telephone pole), mostly the height is to save expense with the change. It will benefit the port by allowing them to add 2 more tracks, and to have longer trains (more engines). They also claim lower overall noise due to less decoupling of trains, but my guess is overall noise will increase due to elevated road. They are offering to pay for the road, and the pedestrian/bike bridge that will cross over 3rd as part of the Spirit Trail.

Most of the public outrage is the height of the proposed road. Its being done that high to save cost on the retaining wall. Most people are asking for the proposed road to be lowered.

I'm not fully for or against the road, but the render they made for the project is hilarious. It has one truck, 2 or 3 cars, and bunch of bicyclists and a woman walking her dog. Yah, I'm sure lots of people will be walking their dog by a busy road, tons of train noise, piles of coal, all by huge dirty cement pillars. My guess is the ridiculous presentation is part of the outrage, no one is going to believe that idealized picture.

Another benefit of the road will be the elimination of 3 level crossings, which will reduce train noise (horns). Also, I think it would be fantastic if they add proper sidewalks and bike lanes to that road. Personally, I run along it it all the time, and it isn't usually super busy with trucks after 4pm or so. I can understand how people could be against the height, but if the level crossings are to be eliminated the road will have to be significantly elevated, new tracks or so. Also, that hillside is falling apart. What is better, an elevated road or a massive retaining wall made of concrete or lock blocks?

jozero · #**133** Posted **May 18, 2011, 7:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

Another benefit of the road will be the elimination of 3 level crossings, which will reduce train noise (horns). Also, I think it would be fantastic if they add proper sidewalks and bike lanes to that road. Personally, I run along it it all the time, and it isn't usually super busy with trucks after 4pm or so. I can understand how people could be against the height, but if the level crossings are to be eliminated the road will have to be significantly elevated, new tracks or so. Also, that hillside is falling apart. What is better, an elevated road or a massive retaining wall made of concrete or lock blocks?

Massive retaining wall. Its going to go from a road down by the tracks to a road that will implicitly effect the entire neighbourhood that used to be above it. Yes the wide sidewalk and bike lane will be nice, but it absolutely doesn't need to be so high. The massive retaining wall will help better block the traffic noise, and likely save more of the tree line as well that the current just built Spirit track runs through.

Also its extremely clear the port is not sharing its future plans for the large empty lot in between the current cement towers and the shipping buildings. Bizarrely the City of North Vancouver turned over that land to the Federal Government for a ridiculously low price.

Why are people outraged? Because people aren't stupid. Its clear that the full story isn't being told. And that angers folk pure and simple.

"but if the level crossings are to be eliminated the road will have to be significantly elevated, new tracks or so"

They can raise the road where the crossings are.

wrenegade · #**134** Posted **May 24, 2011, 4:00 PM**

Intracorp's Versatile Buildling is about 20% sold in a week. Sales centre looks pretty good, and some decent prices on some of the units. The building has to be 65% sold in order to get construction financing, so I would be surprised to see demolition start before the fall.

wrenegade · #**135** Posted **Jul 18, 2011, 5:59 PM**

For anyone interested in checking out Lower Lonsdale/Lonsdale Quay, or for those who haven't been here in a while, I definitely recommend coming down on a Friday night. There is a farmer's market at Shipbuilder's Square every Friday during the summer (I had no idea until I stumbled upon this last Friday). The summer concert series at the Pier is set to begin in the next week or two as well. More than just the music and food, what I was most surprised about was the number of people. Hundreds walking the street! It was amazing I must say. I have never seen Lower Lonsdale so alive. Fantastic. It was a drizzling Friday evening and yet the patios (with umbrellas) were still full at Quattro, Burgoo and the District. I can only hope things like this help the neighbourhood realize it can be much more and the more people from around the shore (and downtown for that matter, hop on the Seabus!) come down. Of course, parking is a big of a nightmare. The CNV can't finish the remediation of the refurbished shipyard buildings fast enough, and I eagerly await new residential developments (although residents are still 2+ years away).

Anyways, it's a pretty great time on Friday evenings and I urge everyone to come down and partake a bit. Hopefully the weather will improve sometime soon, it would be nice if summer actually arrived.

SpongeG · #**136** Posted **Jul 19, 2011, 1:28 AM**

they had a big festival down there on sunday popped in quickly - 4 naval vessels docked and loads of vendors and tents and free stuff

jozero · #**137** Posted **Jul 25, 2011, 6:22 AM**

New bike lanes were opened up on 1st west street started at Bewicke ave. Its a nice continuation of the Spirit Trail for the bike portion, and leads nicely to the new bridge that was recently opened. It would of been oh so nice if the Spirit Trail followed the water, but given the industry already there that would of been impossible.

I'm curious on how the bike / pedestrian portion of the Spirit Trail will handle Welch street. Its a skinny bumpy road thats sketchy for bikers, and impossible to walk beside for pedestrians.

North Shore News Story

Pinion · #**138** Posted **Jul 25, 2011, 6:54 AM**

I am pro-bike lanes but I really think they went overboard by adding street parking all along that route at the expense of a car lane. It's to the right of the bike lane so it doesn't protect the bicyclists, and there's no need for extra parking for 90% of that road.

It used to be my quick route to Lions Gate. Now it's just as bad as Marine. Especially since the spirit trail got its own street light.

I'm finding myself going downtown via second narrows more and more. Ugly drive but much faster.

biketrouble · #**139** Posted **Jul 25, 2011, 5:29 PM**

@jozero

Welch Street improvements are something of a bone of contention. Based on conversations on the North Shore VACC mailing list, they would love to see this improved and in principle the DWV is on board - but the problem portion is on Squamish land and so far they are not willing to see this road widened.

My understanding is that the long term future for an east-west bike route on the North Shore is along 1st Street, with a proposed new bridge across the Capilano at 1st. This is why the bike lane improvements have focused on 1st when they might otherwise have used more of Welch Street. But that bridge might be a long time coming. For one thing, the sewage works needs to move first.

idunno · #**140** Posted **Jul 25, 2011, 7:28 PM**

The Spirit Trail from DNV to the Cap river appears to be near construction start. It seems that they will be upgrading the road somewhat as well. The timetable http://westvancouver.ca/Residents/Level3.aspx?id=26900 also says that the new pedestrian/bicycle bridge (beside the Park Royal Capilano Bridge) will begin construction this fall.

You can see the projects map with each of these at #1 and #2 here http://westvancouver.ca/uploadedfile...11/index2.html