Proposed Connection between Plaza at 858 Beatty & BC Place Plaza Concourse

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 29, 2002
Author/Local:Karima Mulji/6069

RTS No. 02434

CC File No. 5655

Council: February 5, 2002

TO:

FROM:

Vancouver City Council

City Manager in Consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Proposed Connection Between the Plaza at 858 Beatty and the BC Place Plaza Concourse

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Smithe Street Holdings Corp., the owner of 858 Beatty Street construct:

· a connection between their plaza (on the former BC Place Gap site) and the BC Place plaza concourse at an estimated cost of $42,757 including GST,
· pedestrian works along Expo Boulevard, adjacent to the former BC Place Gap site, at an estimated cost of $20,000,
and that Smithe Street Holdings's required Parking Pay-in-Lieu contribution be reduced by $62,757.

B. THAT the Director of Legal Services and the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to execute agreements made to their satisfaction for:

· the design and construction of the connection for the sum of $42,757 including GST ,
· the reduction in Smithe Street Holdings's payment in-lieu contribution by $62,757,
· an extension of the current lease, or a new lease with BC PavillionCorp. for the newly constructed connection, at no additional rent,
and any other legal agreements that the Director of Legal Services deems necessary.

COUNCIL POLICY

In 1993, during the rezoning of the Quayside Neighbourhood, the Stadium Parking Agreement was applied to site 5GH (858 Beatty Street). This agreement placed an obligation for payment-in-lieu of the required parking on this property in the estimated amount of $943,000 for 100 stalls.

The funds from the Stadium Parking "payment-in-lieu" spaces are to be applied to providing or improving the pedestrian-bicycle-transit network in the downtown area.

PURPOSE

This report requests Council approval of a reduction of $62,757 in Smithe Street Holdings's payment-in-lieu contribution. This will allow Smithe Street Holdings Corp.to build a proposed connection between the plaza at 858 Beatty Street (formerly the BC Place Gap site) and the BC Place plaza concourse, as shown in Appendix A, as well as a sidewalk along Expo Boulevard adjacent to the former BC Place Gap site.

BACKGROUND

On June 12, 2001, Council approved the following recommendations relating to this site
"THAT the required Stadium Parking Pay-in-Lieu funds for this property, currently estimated to be $943,000 be allocated as follows:

i) $690,000 for construction of a new pedestrian connection from Robson Street, across the extended and enhanced Terry Fox Plaza and the BC Place Gap site, to Expo Boulevard;
ii) approximately $253,000 in cash be deposited to the GreenLinks Account 30000133, prior to occupancy of any building on this site.

DISCUSSION

During the review of the detailed design for the plaza on this site, Smithe Street Holdings, BC Pavillion Corp., and the City agreed that there should be an expanded connection between the plaza at 858 Beatty and the BC Place plaza concourse. This connection would result in an expansion of the Terry Fox Plaza and would facilitate pedestrian movement between the BC Place concourse and the lower level plaza at 858 Beatty, formerly the BC Place Gap site.

Council previously agreed that a significant portion of Smithe Street Holdings's payment-in-lieu contribution could be applied to the development of the plaza at 858 Beatty, as the proposed plaza improves pedestrian access to Expo Boulevard, creates open space, andresults in the comprehensive development of a very challenging site.

Staff believe that the proposed connection between the 858 Beatty plaza and the BC Place plaza concourse will allow pedestrians at the upper level concourse to more easily access the public plaza at the lower level, and will improve the pedestrian linkages in this area. Similarly, the addition of a sidewalk along Expo Boulevard adjacent to the former BC Place Gap site will further enhance pedestrian access to this area.

If Council approves the proposed connection, the City would extend the current Plaza Concourse Lease at a no additional rent to BC Pavillion Corp. This lease would ensure that BC Pavillion Corp. is responsible for the connection, including all required maintenance.

CONCLUSION

Smithe Street Holdings Corp. and BC Pavillion Corp. are proposing a connection between the BC Place Concourse and the Plaza at 858 Beatty Street. In addition, Smithe Street Holdings Corp. has agreed to complete the sidewalk along Expo Boulevard adjacent to the former BC Place Gap site. As the proposed connection, and the sidewalk along Expo Boulevard will result in improved pedestrian connections in the area, staff recommend that Council approve this proposal, to be funded through a reduction in Smithe Street Holdings's parking payment in-lieu contribution by $62,757.

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TO: FROM:	Vancouver City Council City Manager in Consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Proposed Connection Between the Plaza at 858 Beatty and the BC Place Plaza Concourse