Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Parks and Recreation

SUBJECT:

Bosa Neighbourhood Funded Developments

 

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

Expenditure of the Bosa/CityGate Funds for park improvements requires Council approval.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to use the remaining $298,838 from the Bosa/CityGate Fund to cover the budget shortfall for construction of the proposed upgrade to Thornton Park.

BACKGROUND

The CityGate development re-zoning approval (September 1989) required that Bosa agree to a pay-in-lieu arrangement for parks and community facilities. The total amount received from Bosa was of $6,166,266.

The acquisition of a portion of land at 8th & Fraser Street park site used $177,800; $5.3 million was expended on the BNR Park site, also known as Trillium Park site and a playground was installed at Creekside Park for $62,000. Expenditure of $250,000 was approved by Council on July 11, 2000 for design and construction of Thornton Park upgrade. The balance in the account is $298,838.

DISCUSSION

Thornton Park is a 3.8 acre park located at Main Street and Terminal Avenue. The park acts as a forecourt to two important gateways: the Pacific Central bus/train station and the SkyTrain. It is also an important green space along Main Street, one of the main vehicular entries into downtown Vancouver. The park was developed in 1923 and has become one of the finest ornamental parks in Vancouver with many large specimen trees.

The park's proximity to existing and proposed high-density residential developments, the train/bus station and Sky Train has resulted in increased pedestrian traffic flows and modified traffic patterns in the park. A new layout would assist in meeting contemporary needs while maintaining and enhancing the key heritage features of the park.

On July 11, 2000, Council approved $250,000 for this project to cover consultant fees, project management, construction, contingency and GST, with the CityGate Park Payment-In-Lieu Fund used as the funding source. Using this fund was agreed to by residents of the neighbourhood (CityGate Intertower Committees) in a townhall meeting in October 1999, since the initiative to upgrade the park came from the residents of CityGate.

On April 30, 2001, the Board hired Jonathan Losee Ltd to prepare a new layout for Thornton Park at a cost of $36,100.

Based on the plan prepared by Jonathan Losee Ltd., the estimated cost of construction for the upgrade of Thornton Park is $500,000 including GST and contingency. The initial concept for the park upgrade was expanded after community interest group consultations and design workshops were held, reviews by the Downtown Eastside Core Committee, Planning, Engineering and the Vancouver Heritage Commission. This resulted in a more detailed and sophisticated design being developed, including changes in construction materials which embellish the historical importance of the park by respecting its original design and its function as a major gateway to the City.

The concept for the upgrade recognizes the diverse history of the area and the park, it's original design, and the architectural significance of the train station while at the same time responding to the changes taking place in the neighbourhood and addressing the social

problems currently associated with the park. Foremost in the design is making the park safe for pedestrians by increasing sight lines into the park from the perimeter by removing shrubs and replacing them with annual and perennial flowering plants and improving the night lighting. Other design elements include a hard surface pedestrian plaza adjacent to Sky Train, bike lockers, improved walkways and circulation, a larger entry plaza at the Central Pacific Station pedestrian crossing, improved lawn drainage, an automatic irrigation system, and benches.

Current construction costs are higher than originally estimated as a result of a number of factors including; the proposed nearby high-tech development and a proposal to upgrade Station Street immediately to the north of the park. The proposed Skytrain plaza was increased in size to include the Main Street bus stop and increased pedestrian volumes into the park, the entry plaza to the park at the pedestrian crossing to Pacific Central Station was increased in size, and the sidewalk along Terminal Avenue will be relocated and separated from traffic by a tree-lined boulevard. All of these conditions have led to increased construction costs.

There is $200,000 remaining in the account for construction. TransLink has offered $2,000 towards the construction of the plaza at the SkyTrain station. Therefore, given that the upgrade will cost $500,000, there is a budget shortfall of $298,000. Rather than scale back the scope and nature of the project Council approval for additional funding is requested. With a $200,000 budget the following components would have to be eliminated or scaled back significantly: SkyTrain Plaza, Station Street Plaza, new sidewalks and corner entry plazas.

CONCLUSION

The historical importance of the Park, its contemporary role and its place in the future of the neighbourhood and the City can be achieved by completing the upgrade as designed. City Council, the Board, area residents, citizen groups and City staff have given their support to this project. Provision of the remaining funds will allow the project to be realized.

There is $298,838 remaining in the Bosa/CityGate Payment-In-Lieu Fund. Release of $298,000 from the Bosa /CityGate fund will allow the upgrade of Thornton Park to begin this Spring and be completed according to the approved design.

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