A15
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 4, 1995
Dept. File No. 3114
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Community Services
General Manager of Corporate Services
General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Ferry Dock - East End of False Creek
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the construction of a ferry dock at the east
end of False Creek in the location shown on Appendix A at a cost of
$61,000 to be funded from the PEF and operated by Engineering
Services.
GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS
The General Managers of Community Services, Corporate Services and
Engineering Services RECOMMEND approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 26, 1988, Council approved:
"THAT, as a part of the False Creek planning process, plans
and related policies be prepared integrating the ferry
services and facilities into the False Creek transportation
system and the community plan".
PURPOSE
This report recommends that the City construct and maintain a ferry dock
at the south-east corner of False Creek (see Appendix A).
BACKGROUND
Ferries have been operating in False Creek since 1980. There are
currently 2 ferry services operating, False Creek Ferries and the
Aquabus. To date the primary demand served by the ferries has been from
the West End and the north side of False Creek to Granville Island,
though service is provided by one or both to the Maritime Museum, the
Roundhouse area, and Stamps Landing.
A comprehensive plan for the False Creek water body may be undertaken in
1996. It will address water uses and functions, and their requirements
for facilities on shore, among other issues. Ferry services will be
included in this comprehensive plan.In the meantime, as part of the
development of False Creek, the City is requiring that Concord install
ferry docks, which the City will own and operate, as part of its
development. The City has required or installed docks on the south
shore of False Creek at Stamps Landing and at the foot of Spyglass.
Most recently (1988) the City installed a dock at the south foot of
Hornby St.
These docks have been operated on an ad hoc basis. Since False Creek
Ferries had installed its own dock at the Aquatic Centre and has
exclusive rights to it, Aquabus was given exclusive rights for a limited
period of time to the City dock at the foot of Hornby. For this Aquabus
pays a monthly license fee to the City. The other City docks are
currently used by the ferry services without charge as the traffic has
yet to develop where revenues can support rent. The operating structure
for the ferries, including issues such as exclusive rights, rents, etc.
will be addressed as part of the comprehensive False Creek water body
plan.
PROPOSED EAST FALSE CREEK FERRY DOCK
Science World has for some time wanted a ferry dock at the east end of
False Creek. More recent requests for a ferry dock at East False Creek
have been received from residents of CityGate. With the development of
VanCity's office building, and the potential traffic from the Main St.
Skytrain station, there is existing and growing demand for ferry
services from the east end of False Creek. Currently the only ferry
dock east of Cambie is at the former B.C. Pavilion. A dock is needed
close to Science World and the developments along Quebec and transit
along Main St.
The shore works are still in place from the Expo ferry dock that was
located at the Northwest Territories pavilion immediately south of
Science World on the south shore of False Creek. It is proposed to
install a ferry dock at this location which, at this point, is owned by
the City. It would consist of a 5 ft. by 50 ft. ramp and a 10 ft. by 12
ft. float. The ramp and float could be removed when construction of the
seawall walkway and shoreline along the south east shore of False Creek
is undertaken and replaced when it is complete. The total cost is
estimated at $61,000 which includes attaching the ramp to the shore and
the float to the existing piles, and installation of a bus shelter.
At this point it is proposed that no rent be charged the users of the
dock. Charging a user fee should be feasible in the future, but the
traffic needs to develop before revenues will support a charge. Both
ferry operators have advised that they would use the dock, though it may
be seasonal at first with partial service the rest of the year. The
primary destination is expected to be Granville Is. which is a 20 minute
trip. In terms of current ferry fares, $1.50 from the West End to
Granville Island and $3.00 to Stamps Landing, a fare around $4.00 would
be charged from Science World to Granville Island. Other uses could be
tour operators bringing groups to Science World.While a dock would not
generate immediate revenue for the City, it is recommended that one be
installed now. The current demand is sufficient for the ferry services
to commence operations, and a dock at the east end of False Creek would
allow ferry service to become established, will open up the east basin
to the public, begin to knit the communities around False Creek
together, and provide a connection for public access around False Creek
while a walkway along the southeast shore remains unbuilt.
FUNDING
It is recommended that the PEF be the source of funding for the dock at
the east end of False Creek. The location of the ferry dock abuts the
City's southeast False Creek PEF holdings. As owner of the lands along
the south east shore of False Creek the City will be expected to pay for
ferry docks when they are installed, including one at or near this
location. The cost of a ferry dock can be justified as a pre-
development expense.
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