SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 4
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
JUNE 27, 1996
POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE
Date: June 13, 1996
Dept. File No.: BP
TO: Standing Committee on Planning & Environment
FROM: Director of Community Planning, in consultation with the
Assistant City Engineer - Streets Division
SUBJECT: Development of the Ridgeway Greenway Pilot Project
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the construction of the portion of the
Ridgeway Greenway on 37th Avenue, between Knight and Granville
Streets, as described in this report; and
B. THAT funding of $800,000 be allocated from the Streets Basic
Capital Unappropriated Account No. 12/31/6801/999 for
construction of the Ridgeway Greenway pilot project.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A
and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
On November 3, 1992, Council adopted the Vancouver urban greenway
system, in principle, and directed staff to assess public interest in
the greenway concept through the CityPlan process.
On July 18, 1995, Council adopted the Vancouver Greenway Plan, and
designated the portion of the Ridgeway Greenway on 37th Avenue, between
Knight and Granville Streets, the city greenway pilot project. Council
also instructed staff to report back after completion of the design of
the Ridgeway pilot project.
On March 12, 1995, Council approved funding for the construction of
traffic signal improvements at all the arterials along the pilot project
route.
SUMMARY
Greenways are green pathways for pedestrians and cyclists which expand
the opportunities for urban recreation, provide alternate ways to move
through the city, and enhance the experience of nature and city life.
The Ridgeway is one of the fourteen routes approved by Council to form a
system of greenways that will ultimately connect all parts of Vancouver.
A design for the Ridgeway Greenway pilot project, along 37th Avenue
between Knight and Granville Streets, has been developed subsequent to
an extensive public consultation, within the funding parameters
established by Council. This report seeks Council's approval for
funding and direction to proceed with construction.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for the funding
and construction of the Ridgeway pilot project.
BACKGROUND
In 1991, Council appointed the Urban Landscape Task Force. In their
final report, Greenways-Public Ways, the Task Force recommended the
development of a system of greenways connecting all parts of the city.
The proposed greenway system was incorporated into the CityPlan public
review process. In response to public support, Planning and Engineering
staff were instructed to pursue developing greenways in Vancouver. A
series of public workshops were held on greenways in November and
December of 1993. In July 1995, Council adopted the Vancouver Greenway
Plan, and designated the portion of the Ridgeway Greenway on 37th Avenue
between Knight and Granville Streets as the city greenway pilot project.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of Greenways is to enhance pedestrian and cyclist activity
in the city. The Ridgeway pilot project between Knight and Granville
Streets is the first of a series of routes that when complete will cross
the city east-west and north-south. Eventually, the Ridgeway will
extend from Central Park in Burnaby to Pacific Spirit Park. The design,
public review, budget and schedule for the development of the pilot
project are presented in the following sections.
1. Design
The significant components of the Ridgeway are described under the six
goals of the project. Greater detail and illustrations of these design
features are included as Appendix A.
(a) Make Walking More Interesting - The greenway walkway will be
located primarily along the north side of the road right-of-way, to
take advantage of the many public open spaces along the route, the
sunny side of the street, and the view opportunities. Sidewalks,
seating, signage, and other pedestrian amenities will be located
along the route.
(b) Make Cycling Safer and More Convenient - Along the route cyclists
will share the roadway with motorists; a variety of traffic-calming
measures to slow and reduce through traffic will make this safer.
Pedestrian- and cyclist-activated traffic signals will be installed
at the major intersections along the route including Fraser, Main,
Cambie, Oak and Granville Streets. The pedestrian signals, already
in place, at Oak and Knight Streets will be upgraded for cyclists.
(c) Reduce the Impact of the Car - A series of traffic-calming measures
will be installed along the route, including:
- Right-Out-Only Diverters with Centre Median - Right-out-only
diverters will be constructed at all of the arterials except
Oak and Knight Streets;
- Boulevard Bulges - Bulges will be constructed in a number of
locations and in several configurations;
- Raised Pavement/Speed Ramp - At a number of sites, the bulges
are combined with a raised pavement; and
- Road Closures - The following road closures are proposed:
- Ontario Street south from 37th to the lane (´ block);
- 37th west of Fraser, from the cemetery access to Fraser;
- 37th east from Fraser to the lane (´ block);
- 37th east from Ross to the lane (´ block); and
- 37th from the lane west of Culloden to Culloden (´
block).
(d) Enhance the special places along the route - A series of special
places will be enhanced or created along the route, including:
- The corridor along VanDusen Gardens;
- The intersection of 37th Avenue and Ontario Street at Queen
Elizabeth Park;
- Cartier Park;
- Mountain View Cemetery; and
- 37th Avenue between Ross to Culloden Streets.
(e) Make the Greenway Greener - Measures such as planting more trees,
using drought-tolerant and native plants, re-establishing the
natural drainage patterns and attracting song birds and butterflies
to the route are proposed. In addition, more intensive use of
public space, such as a community orchard or planting your own
boulevard, is proposed.
(f) Use Art to Make the Ridgeway More Pleasant and Interesting -
Opportunities have been identified along the route to integrate art
into the design of the typical elements in a street, such as curbs
or light standards, to make the ordinary extraordinary.
2. Public Review
The extensive public review process took place over an eight-month
period beginning in October 1995. A series of four major public
information sessions (a total of nine meetings) were held. Over 5,600
notifications were sent out for each session, all of which were
advertised in the local papers. Throughout the review process, ideas,
comments, questions and concerns from the general public,
directly-affected residents, interest groups, students, design
professionals, City commissions, advisory committees, and staff were
recorded, compiled, and responded to.
A large majority of participants expressed considerable support for the
plan and helped to generate the ideas presented in the plan. A
significant number have volunteered to organize community projects or to
work with a public artist. Those with specific concerns also
contributed substantially to refining the design to its present form.
A telephone survey is being conducted by the Angus Reid Group to confirm
public support for the proposed traffic improvements; specifically
traffic diverters at arterial streets and road closures. The survey
area includes Granville to Knight Streets and 33rd to 41st Avenues.
For detailed information on the public process, see Appendix B.
3. Budget
Funds for the project are derived from a variety of City and Provincial
sources. In order to optimize project funding, existing programs have
been used wherever possible. For example, street trees will be planted
through the Park Board's regular street tree program; new sidewalks and
drought-tolerant planting will be provided through Engineering Services'
programs; and public art funds will supplement infrastructure costs to
enhance the public realm. The following table summarizes the proposed
funding structure.
GREENWAY BUDGET
Source Amount
Greenway Funds $800,000
Public Art Funds $100,000
Park Board Tree Planting Program $125,000
Engineering Budgets
- Signalization $200,000
- Sidewalks $???
Staff have approached the Provincial government for a grant of
approximately $45,000 for improvements to Queen Elizabeth Park at 37th
Avenue and Ontario Street.
In addition, staff will be reviewing the improvements to Mountain View
Cemetery to ensure that both the Cemetery and the Greenway benefit from
any additional monies spent to develop the Cemetery.
4. Schedule
Should Council approve the project, construction will begin immediately.
A large part of the project will be completed in the fall of this year.
The remainder of the project will be completed early in 1997. Certain
elements of the design requiring further community involvement may also
be completed next spring.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Building the Ridgeway will have positive environmental benefits of
increasing walking and cycling, providing more greenery, decreasing
reliance on storm sewers, re-using of materials where possible and other
environmental initiatives.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The Ridgeway will contribute to healthier lifestyles for Vancouverites,
providing increased opportunities for passive and active recreation
along its route. It will also promote community building through
specific community-oriented projects such as community gardens and
public art collaborations.
CONCLUSION
The Ridgeway pilot project has received wide public review and support.
With Council approval, construction of this first component of the
city-wide greenway system will begin.
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