ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                                       Date: April 17, 1996
                                                       Dept. File No. F593 


   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     Manager of Real Estate

   SUBJECT:  Property Acquisition for Road Improvements 
             on the East Side of Oak Street at 71st Avenue 
             - 991-995 West 71st Avenue

   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT Council authorize the Manager of Real Estate to proceed with
        the acquisition of 16.4 square metres (176 sq. ft.) of land for
        road purposes from 991-995 West 71st Avenue, legally described as
        the common property of Strata Lot 1 and 2, District Lot 319, Strata
        Plan VR 579 at a total cost of $21,880 plus 3% net GST under the
        terms contained in the Offer To Purchase and this report.

        Funding for the acquisition is to be provided from Streets Basic
        Capital Account No. 12/31/0198/999.


   GENERAL MANAGER'S  COMMENTS

        The General Manager of Corporate Services RECOMMENDS approval of
        the foregoing.


   COUNCIL POLICY

   There is no Council policy directly attributed to this matter.


   BACKGROUND

   Oak Street is a major entry into the City with traffic from the Oak
   Street Bridge and Marine Drive.  At 71st Avenue, traffic from Marine
   Drive must merge onto Oak Street.  This is an awkward merge with bridge
   traffic over a short distance and has been a problem for B.C. Transit in
   the past.

   Road modifications have been made in conjunction with the recent Oak
   Street Bridge closure to eliminate the merge by providing 3 northbound
   lanes.  As part of this project, property acquisition is required to
   widen the boulevard for pedestrian space.

   CURRENT SITUATION

   The subject property is zoned RM-3A (Multi-family Residential) and
   improved with a strata titled duplex constructed in 1978.  The proposed
   widening of Oak Street at this location necessitates the acquisition of
   16.4 square metres (176 square feet) of land from the frontage of the
   property.  In addition to the permanent loss of land, damages will
   include loss of landscaping, relocation of existing fencing and
   proximity damages to the subject building.  A historical review of the
   site indicates no record of contaminating uses.

   Following lengthy negotiations the owners of 991-995 West 71st Avenue
   have agreed to sell the required property of the City at a purchase
   price of $21,800 in full satisfaction of all disruptive factors relating
   to the City's purchase of the land and on those terms and conditions
   outlined in the City's Offer to Purchase dated March 5, 1996.

   The Manager of Real Estate Services considers the acquisition price to
   represent fair compensation for the property.




                 *     *     *     *     *