In taking a closer look at the Planning Process document (link to pdf) for the proposed Cultural Precinct, the City has asked planners to consider the following as part of the project's first phase:
- Immediate renovation of the Queen Elizabeth and the Orpheum Theatres, which would need to begin by April 2007, in order to be finished in time for the Olympics
- The creation of an Olympic Live Site, which would cover the QE Theatre Plaza, as well as part of the Bus Depot site
- The construction of an office tower, to be located on the Bus Depot site
The initial report should also include plans for the construction of a 450-seat theatre, to be built after the Olympics on the Bus Depot site.
Looking farther ahead, City planners have also been instructed to consider other sites along the Georgia Street corridor where cultural facilities may be built, as part of the 15+ year Culture Plan, which aims to develop cultural centres in different neighbourhoods throughout the city.
As for the project timeline, planning of phase one is expected to be finished by the end of this year, while funding commitments would need to be in place by next spring. By June 2007, the City expects to begin work on its long range plan, which it aims to have approved by next September.
Aside from the theatre renovations and the Olympic Live Site, completion of the rest of phase one is scheduled for 2013.
I think the 450 seat theatre is the replacement for the Coal Harbour facility that was bumped by the Convention Centre Expansion.
Posted by: Ron | Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 12:46 PM
I was going to make the same suggestion about Coal Harbour -- on the table for 10+ years, and now it seems officially dead.
...I suppose the Convention Centre Expansion project looks to be more financially viable? A more central location?
Posted by: yvonne | Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 02:01 PM