ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 15, 2001
Author/Local: T Kyle / 6011

RTS No. 01650

CC File No. 8206

T&T: February 20, 2001

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	South East False Creek Temporary Seawall Walkway

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the construction of a temporary extension of the seawall walkway from Cambie Bridge to Science World, as outlined in this report at a cost of $250,000, with funding of $50,000 to be provided from the Molson Indy Legacy Fund and a maximum of $200,000 from the Property Endowment Fund.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council has supported provision of cycling and pedestrian facilities that encourage the use of non-powered travel for commuting and recreational purposes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to address the Council motions of July 22, 1999, which states:

A. THAT Council support the proposed contributions by Molstar Sports towards the following projects, as a legacy to the Vancouver Molson Indy race:

1. A temporary walkway through the SE Shore of False Creek land between Science World and the Cambie Bridge.

AND

B. THAT Engineering Services staff report back on the details, including potential City funding required to complete the temporary walkway.

This report also addresses the Council motions of February 22, 2000, which states:

AND FURTHER THAT staff consider the use of Molson Indy Legacy funds to extend the bike route westward from Science World along the shoreline route as far as possible and do so with the appropriate community consultation.

DISCUSSION

The construction of the temporary walkway would be a significant benefit to the City as this section of South East False Creek is the final missing link in a continuous waterfront connection from Coal Harbour around the downtown peninsula and False Creek to Vanier Park and Kitsilano Beach. In the longer term a permanent connection will be provided through the redevelopment of South East False Creek. This project will provide a temporary walkway for the short term. The route of the path can been seen in Appendix 1. (Appendices 1, 2 and 3 on file in the City Clerk's Office.)

Many of the obstacles to this connection have been removed as the previous uses of the waterfront have left. A few obstacles remain in the form of some interim uses including a privately owned parcel at Egmont Towing. However, the City has a right-of-way across this land which can be exercised so long as periodic access across the right-of-way is provided to Egmont Towing. Egmont Towing has been consulted on this matter and are receptive to the pathway, although they feel that the pathway will have an impact on their operation. A cross section of the walkway at Egmont Towing can be seen in Appendix 2. Fencing will be on both sides of the walkway at Egmont Towing, as the pathway runs through the middle of the property.

Another obstacle, a small fenced and partially decked inlet exists on the east side of the Canron site near the foot of Manitoba Street. The pathway will go around this inlet for the time as no approval has been received to demolish the deck or modify the inlet. This may be completed at a later date.

Walkway improvements would be minimal, recognizing the temporary nature of the walkway and would consist of an asphalt surface and chain-link fencing. No changes to the shoreline or the existing berm along the water edge would be made except for general clean up. Some areas of the shoreline will need to be fenced for the safety of users. None of the temporary walkway will likely be re-used for the permanent walkway. A typical cross section of the walkway can be seen in Appendix 3. This section of the walkway is designed similar to other temporary sections of the seawall that were built by Corcord.

Lighting along the walkway was considered, however, due to the high costs and a relatively short term use, there will be no lighting along the walkway. Other temporary sections of the seawall are also unlit. Signs will be placed at both ends of the walkway to inform users that this section of the pathway is unlit. First Avenue can be used as an alternate route in the evenings.

The estimated cost of the temporary walkway is $250,000, and includes the following components: paving, fencing, signage, contengency, overhead and seven years of maintenance. The maintenane of the pathway is the be done by the Engineering Department.

Uses along the walkway would include walking, jogging, cycling, and in-line skating and are consistent with the image Molstar sports wishes to portray to the public. In a letter dated June 21, 1999 from Molstar Sports and Entertainment to the City, Molstar indicated that the extension of the walkway is a project that they strongly support and would be willing to supply $50,000 towards it.

The remainder of the funding, of $200,000, will come from the Property Endowment Fund. As development occurs around False Creek the Developers have been required, at their cost, to construct temporary walkways to ensure the public has access to the waterfront during construction. As the developer in the project, the City, with help from Indy's Legacy Fund, will bear the cost of the temporary works as part of the overall project cost.

The Park Board and the local neighbourhood group "Parkland is Sustainable and Supportable" have been consulted on the design of the temporary walkway and both support the proposal. Due to the temporary nature of this work, a detailed public process was not required.

CONCLUSION

The construction of the temporary walkway would be a significant benefit to the City as this section of South East False Creek is the final missing link in a continuous waterfront connection from Coal Harbour around the downtown peninsula and False Creek to Vanier Park and Kitsilano Beach. This temporary pathway could be constructed at a cost of $250,000, with funding of $50,000 to be provided Molson Indy Legacy Fund and $200,000 from the Property Endowment Fund.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver