Pacific Metropolis

Giant Clam Revealed

It turns out the giant wood 'n clam isn't so much of a clam after all.

This weekend's Sun unveiled design plans for the project, which appears to be more of an elongated latticed roof than a clamshell. The roof will, however, stretch over Robson Street, covering the outdoor plaza area from the Art Gallery to the waterfall.

It also turns out that the proposed cost for the project is quite a bit lower than originally reported - about 40 million clams, as opposed to the $87 million that was initially mentioned in the Sun.

Among the other facts that we now know - the project won't be completed in time for the 2010 Olympics, although the refurbishment of the lower ice skating rink and plaza will be done in time for the Games

Another plus - an Asia-Pacific Centre will be developed nearby the site, to highlight Vancouver's cultural and economic ties with its trading partners from across the Pacific Rim.

Furthermore, the roof has been designed to incorporate BC wood, as a means of promoting our lumber industry (and hopefully, our ability to produce value-added products, rather than just raw timber).

For more details, click here for the full artice from this weekend's Vancouver Sun. Click here for the related diagrams.

Wood 'N Clam

Apparently there's going to be a giant wooden clam erected over Robson Square, just in time for the Olympics.

In fact, the clam is expected to arch over Robson Street itself, from the Vancouver Art Gallery over to the Robson Steet waterfall, according to this article from the Vancouver Sun.

The piece goes on to claim that Arthur Erickson is 'ambivalent' about the project, while Bing Thom thinks it may not be 'architecturally appropriate'.

Furthermore, the Clam is apparently 'bigger than most people realize, and will radically change the nature of Vancouver's main square.'

Not many people have seen the design plans for this Giant Wooden Clam though, so it's hard to judge whether this thing will fly with the public.

Estimated cost of this cockamamie scheme - $87 million.

Advertisement

Transit Plan Roundup

There's some excellent analysis out there on the provincial government's $14 billion transit plan.

First stop is Price Tags, which beat us to it, in picking out the quote that sums it up best:

'Once we know (the transit projects) are coming, the municipalities can plan their land use and make sure the densities are supportive.'  -Diane Watts, Mayor of Surrey

For the best visual we've seen of the transit plan, check out this map from the Vancouver Sun (link to pdf).

It's also worth taking a look at the following news clip, which provides a decent overview of the plan:

And finally, we'll turn over the detailed analysis to Paul Hillsdon, the twelfth grader who arguably has a better grasp of Lower Mainland transportation issues than our own Minister of Transport.

Check out Paul's South of Fraser Transit Plan here.

The Multi-Billion Dollar Transit Plan

Premier Gordon Campbell announced $14 billion in new spending on BC transit this morning, with much of that money flowing to the Metro Vancouver region.

Among the main initiatives slated for the Lower Mainland:

• Extension of the Millenium Line out to UBC
• Construction of Coquitlam's Evergreen Line
• Expansion of capacity on the Expo Line

With regard to costs and completion dates, the UBC extension will cost about $2.8 billion and should be finished by 2020. (Today's kindergarteners will be riding it).

The estimated cost of the Evergreen Line is now $1.4 billion (up from $970 million, as projected last fall). The line will connect Coquitlam Centre to the Lougheed Town Centre station. Completion is possible by 2014.

As for the old Expo Line, stations will be expanded to accommodate 6-car trains, while an additional 6 kilometres will be built out in Surrey.

Much of the above is fantastic news, and we applaud it.

What's missing from the plan: any mention of funding for the proposed Vancouver Streetcar.

There isn't much in the way of new transit initiatives for the Fraser Valley either, except for the Rapid Bus service. (What about a 'second' West Coast Express, with Park and Ride stations in the valley?)

Among the dumb ideas in the plan: electronic gates at Skytrain station entrances. (Here's why it doesn't make sense, when one does a simple cost-benefit analysis).

Oddly, the plan 'announced' $2 billion in spending for the Canada Line, despite the fact that this isn't really a 'new' project. (Nor is the 'UBC Line' really new - more accurately, it's an extension).

For more details, check out the Vancouver Sun's coverage here.

The Ministry of Transportation's official information site can be found here, with links to the press release, brochures, etc..