CITY HALL
   OFFICE OF THE MAYOR                                   VANCOUVER


                                                        June 5, 1995


   MEMO TO:       Members of Council

   FROM:          Mayor Philip Owen

   RE:            SITE EVALUATION - CONVENTION CENTRE
   _________________________________________________________________

   A few weeks ago, the Province released the Spaxman-Duke report on
   possible  options to  expand convention  space in  the City.  The
   report indicated that the  economic benefits would be significant
   for the  Federal and  Provincial  Governments and  for the  local
   economy.  It recommended  that the  City, Provincial  and Federal
   Government assemble a working group to assess the options.

   The  evaluation of  alternative  sites requires  considering  two
   factors: the  economics of the new facility and its impact on the
   City. As the  City will  not be contributing  financially to  the
   capital   cost   of   the   new   Convention   Centre,   economic
   considerations are  primarily the  concern of other  governments.
   The  way the  Centre fits into  the City,  how it  impacts on its
   neighbours  and  how it  works from  an  urban design  and access
   perspective are, however, the City's  concern. I believe it would
   be useful for the City to move ahead with an analysis of the site
   options.

   I  RECOMMEND  that  Council  instruct  the  General  Managers  of
   Community and Engineering Services to consult with the Provincial
   and Federal  Governments, Marathon, Concord Pacific  and the Port
   Corporation, and report back with terms of reference and resource
   requirements  for an  initial review  of the  development options
   identified in the Spaxman-Duke report.





                                              Philip W. Owen,
                                              MAYOR