Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

The Director of Current Planning, in consultation with the General Manager of Parks and Recreation and the General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Victory Square Lighting Project

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On July 28, 1998, Council confirmed principles to provide general guidance to actions and planning in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown and Strathcona, which include encouraging legitimate commercial activity, improving conditions at the street level, improving existing SROs, reducing crime, and helping community people to find allies and seek a common future.

On September 21, 1999, Council approved a funding allocation of $2.5 million toward Downtown Eastside initiatives in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan with specific reference made to the provision of improvements to the public realm.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

This report seeks Council's approval for the allocation of $100,000 from the Downtown Eastside Capital Funds for implementation of the Victory Square Lighting Project. This project represents a collaboration between the City, the Park Board and the "Friends of Victory Square," a group of local property owners, business owners and residents. The project involves the installation of new lighting throughout the park. The plan for the new lighting was designed by an architectural consultant with funding provided by the Friends of Victory Square and the City. The intention of the project is to celebrate the heritage character of Victory Square Park and its surrounding buildings, while at the same time increasing public safety.

BACKGROUND

Victory Square Park is a 0.36 hectare park bordered by Hastings Street, Cambie Street, Pender Street and Hamilton Street. Ringed by some of the finest buildings in the city, Victory Square acts as an important connection between the downtown core, Gastown and Chinatown, and is an important landmark in the Downtown Eastside area. The site is part of the historic centre of the city, being the location of the city's first courthouse (now demolished), and the point at which the survey was taken to establish the urban grid. The park has great cultural significance as the location of the War Memorial Cenotaph and associated Remembrance Day services.

Several years ago, safety concerns were expressed by the community and the Vancouver Police regarding poor visibility in the park and marginal lighting. In response, the Park Board undertook maintenance work to remove fencing and overgrown shrubs, improve signage and allocated funds for lighting improvements. These funds for improved lighting will be incorporated into the current lighting project, subject to project approval by the Park Board.

In November 2000, a group of concerned local property owners, merchants and residents, now known as the Friends of Victory Square, began meeting to chart ways they could work together to enhance the park and neighbourhood for residents and visitors alike. Linkageswere established with local community groups and City Planning and Park Board staff. The Park Board allocated funding for improved safety lighting in the park, but reserved these funds in anticipation of an enhanced partnership initiative. With $10,000 in funding support from the City's Downtown Eastside Crime Prevention/Revitalization Project combined with significant private fundraising by the Friends of Victory Square, a consultant - Pechet and Robb Architects - was retained to develop a design concept.

A public consultation process was undertaken by the Park Board between June 11 - 29, 2001. The process included two open houses, preceded by a neighbourhood flyer distribution and two notice signs within the park. Approximately 135 individuals participated in the open houses and 49 comment sheets were submitted. The results indicated a very positive response to the proposal. Over 75% liked some or all aspects of the lighting features. Close to 63% of respondents had no negative comments when asked what they liked the least. When people were asked what they liked or disliked about Victory Square Park today, most said that they liked the park because of its greenery, size and history, and that it is a place where they can sit and rest in an otherwise busy downtown urban centre. The most notable complaint expressed about the park is the on-going drug use and dealing activities that contribute to people feeling unsafe.

PROPOSED LIGHTING DESIGN

The consultant's design concept features significant new park lighting, information kiosks and illumination of the building facades surrounding Victory Square Park. The Friends of Victory Square believe that the park lighting component of the project should be the current focus for implementation. This approach acknowledges that the lighting of the Cenotaph and lighting throughout the park generated the highest levels of support in the public consultation. It is the view of City staff and the Friends of Victory Square that the illumination of the surrounding buildings would be an appropriate future project to be funded by building owners and/or other private funding sources. This architectural lighting on the surrounding building facades and the four information kiosks were also the features which generated the least support in the public consultation.

The project design will be presented to the Park Board for approval on November 5, 2001. Park Board funds for Victory Square Park lighting improvements have already been allocated at this time, therefore Board approval is not required for their release for this project.

Park Lighting Plan

Cenotaph:

General Park:

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Implementation

The total estimated cost of the lighting project as configured in the design concept is $330,000. It is proposed that the project be complete in phases, with $210,000 of potential funds identified for a first phase. The possible sources of funding are as follows:

This first phase reduces the number of fixtures around the cenotaph and throughout the park from a total of 27 standards to 24 standards while still retaining the intent of the original design. The significant element which is not achieved in this phase is the tree lighting which is estimated to cost $100,000. Further contributions to the project, including additionalfundraising, grants and future capital funds, could be allocated to augment the number of fixtures and install the tree lighting feature. The implementation of the current phase will cost $210,000 including a 5% contingency.

Council is being asked to approve $100,000 from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization capital funds so that this project can be implemented. Of the $2.5 million of funds approved in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan, $875,000 is currently unallocated.

The $50,000 contribution from the Park Board is drawn from their existing budget. Implementation of this phase is not contingent on future Park Board capital budget funding for future phases, nor will future development work be impeded by this project.

The friends of Victory Square have raised $60,000 towards the implementation of the project, meeting their fundraising goal. These funds have come from local property owners, businesses and institutions.

Work would commence as soon as funding is confirmed and would be managed by the Park Board. A four month construction period is expected.

Annual operating costs are estimated at $10,000 for electricity, lamp replacement, lens cleaning, painting of light poles and repairs by Park Board. This would be considered as added basic funding in the Park Board annual operating budget subject to the 2002 operating budget review.

Future Development

Victory Square Park has been identified as needing a major park redevelopment estimated to be in the range of $250,000 to $500,000. Consideration will be given to including funding for future park improvements in the proposed 2002-2005 Capital Plan. Issues such as pathway and retaining wall improvements, spectator viewing areas and preventative surfacing treatments which discourage rodents from burrowing and eliminate hiding spots for illicit drugs are seen as priority elements in such a redevelopment plan. Consideration has been given to future park redevelopment needs in the development of the proposed lighting plan.

Senior levels of government are being solicited for funding to enhance the proposed design. The original design concept is more substantial than what is currently being implemented. For example, the consultant suggested the artistic uplighting of the surrounding large trees. Additional funding may make this possible. Assistance from senior levels of government is appropriate given the memorial nature of the Cenotaph.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Friends of Victory Square are interested in exploring further programming opportunities within the park on an ongoing basis. Visual attractions in the form of mobiles, public art and performances and an outdoor café such as seen in public squares around the world are some of the ideas generated through preliminary brainstorming sessions.

Vancouver Community College is exploring curriculum enhancement opportunities to link community service training for students with enhanced maintenance activities.

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia in co-operation with the UBC School of Architecture is planning to host an exhibit and a reception this fall for neighbours, members of the "Friends" and the media to support this project at the UBC Gallery/Studio on Hastings Street.

For a list of community members and groups who have been active in the Friends of Victory Square or have expressed support for the Lighting Project, see Appendix A. City staff will make efforts to engage the entire community in future design and programming of the park.

CONCLUSION

The lighting proposal addresses the issue of park safety with a unique and high impact design and partnership approach between the community, private sector and public agencies. It builds on other important initiatives related to the Downtown Eastside and is a visible demonstration of the significant efforts that are being focused on this area of the city by many stakeholders which are having a positive effect.

The project will be a catalyst for future economic development and community confidence in a healthy and sustainable neighbourhood which builds on its unique assets.

Illegal activity in the park will be reduced through increased usage by community members and increased "eyes on the park" at night. Future programming will increase the range of opportunities for park visitors.

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Appendix A
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APPENDIX A

From its inception, the idea of a significant lighting project for Victory Square Park has generated positive response from the community. Following is a listing of some of the community groups and members of the Friends of Victory Square which have expressed support at various stages of the work:

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