|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
April 19, 2004 | |
Author: |
Doug Louie/Jessica Chen-Adams | |
Phone No.: |
604.871.6655/604.873.7754 | |
RTS No.: |
4172 | |
CC File No.: |
8107 | |
Meeting Date: |
May 4, 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning |
SUBJECT: |
Streetscape Improvements in Gastown |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT funding of $161,000 be provided for a variety of streetscape changes in Gastown with $81,000 from Streets Basic Capital CB1EA5AX1, Local Area Traffic Plans - Unappropriated (Account #30006172) and $80,000 from the 2004 Downtown Eastside Revitalization Capital, subject to approval of the 2004 Basic Capital Budget.
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 find allies and seek a common future.
Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP) on July 9, 2002 which recommended road network changes, including the conversion of five streets from one-way to two-way operation.
On October 1, 2002, Council approved a funding allocation of $2.5 million toward Downtown Eastside revitalization initiatives in the 2003-2005 Capital Plan.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's approval for funding to proceed with a number of streetscape changes in the Gastown and the Downtown Eastside area to complete pedestrian and traffic improvements related to several current initiatives including the redevelopment of the Gastown Carpark which includes the Storyeum historical museum, and the two-waying of Carrall, Abbott, and Cambie Streets. The Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan has identified Storyeum as one the key economic drivers to help revitalize the area. With the funding, the project could proceed and be completed in time for the opening of Storyeum in Spring this year.
BACKGROUND
Several modifications to the streets and sidewalks in the Gastown area have been previously identified and funded as part of the Gastown Carpark redevelopment and as part of the conversion of several streets from one-way to two-way. Subsequent to this, additional streetscape changes have been identified after further consultation with the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) and the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee (GHAPC). The additional changes further enhance conditions for pedestrians and increase vehicular accessibility while preserving existing trees and the character of the area.
DISCUSSION
The additional streetscape changes are located in the four intersections that surround the Gastown Carpark (see Appendix A) and are described below:
Abbott and Water
Modifications to the southwest and southeast corners of the intersections are proposed to provide full vehicular accessibility as desired by the community. Both corners require modification in order to retain an existing tree and the café seating area located on the southwest corner. The bulge on the southwest corner would be reconstructed with a similar to existing brick treatment, and bollards at both corners would be relocated.
Abbott and Cordova
The existing bulge at the northeast corner of Abbott and Cordova needs to be reconstructed to provide for a slightly wider traffic lane to allow larger eastbound vehicles (e.g. buses) to turn left without encroaching onto the southbound traffic lane or the existing pedestrian bulge. The existing tree within the bulge will be retained.
Cambie and Water
A new corner bulge at the southeast corner will be installed to facilitate pedestrians crossing Water Street by reducing the effective road width, and to better accommodate the new tour bus/commercial loading zone located on the east side of Cambie Street. A new tree would be included within the new bulge. The existing corner bulge at the southwest corner needs to be slightly reduced to better accommodate westbound left turning buses at the intersection. The existing tree within this bulge will be retained.
Cambie and Cordova
A pedestrian bulge is proposed for the northwest corner to reduce the crossing distance across Cordova Street. At the southeast corner, the sidewalk will be widened and an existing driveway crossing will be removed to increase pedestrian comfort and to better align the roadway for vehicles. These improvements were included as conditions of the Development Permit Board's approval of the Gastown Carpark, with costs to be shared 50-50 between the applicant and the City. The applicant's share of the funding for this work is already in place.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Although some funds are available for a few of the above noted modifications, the majority are in addition to what was previously contemplated and are in response to subsequent discussions with the GBIS and GHAPC. The outstanding required funds for each of the intersections are listed below:
Abbott/Water $27,000
Abbott/Cordova $18,000
Cambie/Water $80,000
Cambie/Cordova $36,000
Total $161,000
Funding of $161,000 is available from two sources. $81,000 is available from Streets Basic Capital CB1EA5AX1, Local Area Traffic Plans - Unappropriated (Account #30006172) and $80,000 is available from the 2004 Downtown Eastside Revitalization Capital, subject to approval of the 2004 Basic Capital Budget.
CONCLUSION
The Downtown Eastside Economic Revitalization Plan has identified Storyeum as one the key economic drivers to help revitalize the area. In order to proceed with a number of streetscape changes in the Gastown area that were identified after consultation with the GBIS and GHAPC and complete the project in time for the opening of Storyeum in Spring this year, funding of $161,000 is requested. The changes will complement current initiatives to redevelop the Gastown Carpark and the two-waying of Carrall, Abbott, and Cambie Streets. In general, the changes will enhance conditions for pedestrians and increase vehicular accessibility to the Downtown Eastside area.
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