Granville Street Redesign

With the need to rebuild parts of Granville Street following the completion of the Canada Line in two years' time, city planners have taken this opportunity to consider how Granville might be redesigned in the future. (Link to the planning site here).

After evaluating four short-listed proposals this past spring, the City decided to go with the 'Modified Enhanced Existing' option, which will bring moderate changes to downtown traffic patterns along Granville Street. Detailed design proposals are now being drawn up, with construction scheduled to begin in 2008, once the Canada Line is finished.

In reading the city staff's policy report (link to pdf), it's interesting to note that planners see several factors contributing to the revival of Granville.

For instance, the new Canada Line stations at Robson and Cordova Streets will bring as many as 23,000 more people into the area. Furthermore, nearby residential construction (such as the Capitol Residences and Symphony Place) is expected to double the area's population to 30,000 people by 2021.

The designation of an Entertainment District along Granville between Georgia and Nelson Streets has already brought more life into the area, while expansion of the Orpheum Theatre and Scotia Dance Centre should revitalize sections of Granville as well. New retail construction has also increased during the past three years, in response to greater demand.

Looking ahead, the plan aims to transform Granville into one of the city's 'Great Streets' with newly-planted trees, wider sidewalks, and additional space for 'large sidewalk cafes.'

Now, how about this suggestion - why not tear down that horrible Eatons/Sears bathtub and build an Arts Centre there? It would not only make that block more inviting, it would be an ideal location for the Vancouver Art Gallery's proposed expansion, and could become the heart of a pedestrian-friendly arts and entertainment complex that links the Art Gallery to the Orpheum district.

Comments

[Yatata]

I fully agree - the sears centre is the ultimate abomination. The only thing keeping it afloat is it's economic contribution. Is there a way we can keep the money but lose the ugly? Could local business carry the same economic weight if done right? If so the demolition of that building could be an amazing mixed-use oppourtunity. Arts centre expansion and local retail creating a centralized cultural mecca.
t'would be grand.

[Johnny B Good]

Good idea. If the VAG were to move into the Sears building, that would open the door for UBC to expand from its Robson Square location into the old VAG building which connects to Robson Square. Bringing UBC to that location would add a whole lot of vitality.