ENGINEERING SERVICES

March 23, 1998

MEMO TO: Mayor and Council

FROM:Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services

COPY TO: Ken Dobell, City Manager

Ulli Watkiss, City Clerk

Burke Taylor, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs

John Yalkin, Manager, Building Management

SUBJECT: REPORT BACK ON VANIER PARK BUS ACCESS

AND OTHER IMPACTS

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This memo responds to your request for a report back on the impacts associated with providing bus access to the Vancouver Museum/Planetarium through a Fir Street extension and the implications of eliminating the bus stop for scheduled bus tours to the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

On March 10, 1998, Council approved a series of recommendations with respect to a process to measure and address traffic and parking concerns raised by both the Kits Point Residents Association and the City's cultural institutions at Vanier Park. In addition to the comprehensive traffic study approved by Council, staff was directed to report back addressing:

a)all aspects of a short term solution that looks to open the existing road from First Avenue and Fir Street to Vanier Park to buses only, with the sole destination being the Planetarium;

b)the possible impact on the Maritime Museum if the buses cannot stop near it;

c)possible upgrading of the walkway between the Planetarium and Maritime Museum; and

d)the impact on the neighbours to the east of the Burrard Bridge.

1. Feasibility of the Fir Street Transit Route

The Fir Street transit route into Vanier Park is physically feasible. Several options were considered and a preferred routing has been selected. This bus roadway could also be designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

The major obstacle is the fact that the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) owns the majority of the land where the extension of Fir Street is proposed. We have met with CPR representatives and requested that they consider our request to use their land. Although reluctant, they are reviewing our request and will respond shortly. Because this is the key issue in the proposed bus roadway extension, their response will determine whether or not we can achieve the roadway in the short term.

Other issues that need to be reviewed include:

- cost of construction and funding sources

- public consultation process

- impacts to businesses and residents east of Burrard

- impacts to the City's cultural institutions

- route alignment and design details

- disruptions during construction

- impacts to existing vegetation and trails in Vanier Park

- soil contamination

- consultation with Park Board

- native land claims in Vanier Park

- Vanier Park lease arrangements with the Federal Government.

These issues will be examined further and reported back if the response from CPR is favourable.

2. Maritime Museum Impacts

The Vancouver Maritime Museum has expressed serious concerns with respect to the elimination of bus access to its facility. A copy of the Maritime Museum’s letter is attached to this report. The Office of Cultural Affairs has reviewed the submission, the quarterly visitor surveys and the financial statements for the years 1994 - 1997 and concurs that there appears to be a 13% drop in attendance correlating to the elimination of the bus tour stop at the Maritime Museum.

A reduction of 13% in ticket revenues over their 1996 total revenues from admissions equals $17,055. In addition to a reduction in ticket revenue, reduced attendance results in lower gift shop sales, donations box receipts, and sponsorships. This loss is estimated to be in the order of $8,528 based on a 0.5 multiplier for every dollar of ticket revenue. Vancouver Maritime Museum patrons general contribute an additional 50 cents in donations and gift shop purchases. Therefore the total annual loss is estimated to be about $25,000, which the Maritime Museum will submit for Council's consideration as part of their annual grant request.

It can be anticipated that a portion of this loss could be mitigated by improvements to the signage and access route from the Vancouver Museum/Pacific Space Centre to the Maritime Museum. Staff will monitor and report back on visitor attendance and the need for supplementary funds on an annual basis for Council's consideration.

There is one immediate concern with respect to this year’s impact on the Maritime Museum. The Trolley Company is continuing to operate on the route approved last year, which does not include a stop at the Maritime Museum. In the absence of a clear Council directive, the Motor Carrier Commission is unlikely to approve an additional stop.

3. Upgrading the Walkway between the Pacific Space Centre and the Maritime Museum

To promote walking between institutions and discourage unnecessary bus and car trips to the Maritime Museum, the walkway between the Pacific Space Centre and the Maritime Museum could be upgraded. The existing asphalt pathway between the Pacific Space Centre and the Maritime Museum’s parking lot is about 160 metres (525 ft) long and two metres (6.5 ft) wide. It is a sloping pathway which is manageable by persons in wheelchairs, but some assistance may be required. Two park benches are located adjacent to the path, drainage and surface conditions along parts of the path are poor. When the path reaches the driveway to the Maritime Museum, pedestrians must then walk across the pedestrian/bikepath as well as the entrance driveway and parking lot to reach the main entrance of the Museum.

To upgrade this pathway, it could be repaved and widened to about three metres. This can be achieved along the majority of the path except at some locations where trees are located in close proximity to both sides of the path. Some curbs and possibly a catch basin would need to be added where drainage problems currently exist. Low level pedestrian lighting and additional park benches could also be added.

Where the path meets the driveway to the Maritime Museum, it is suggested that the dense landscaping in the area be removed to improve visibility and a small plaza-like area could be created which would incorporate the screenings path directly north (part of the Seaside Route). A raised and widened crosswalk could be installed across the driveway. A new three-metre wide asphalt pathway leading pedestrians to the front entrance of the Maritime Museum could be located adjacent to the south side of the parking lot. This pathway would provide a more manageable grade for disabled persons and would avoid any stairs. Some small retaining walls and reconfiguration of the parking lot may be necessary for this new pathway.

To promote the use of the walkway, improved signage and additional pedestrian amenities at the Vancouver Museum/Pacific Space Centre’s bus drop off area is required. Currently one cannot see the Maritime Museum and only a modest sign directs visitors. An information kiosk, benches, directional and programming signage would all serve to encourage visitors to attend the Maritime Museum.

The above changes are estimated to cost between $50,000 - $100,000. This will need to be confirmed once all the details have been resolved. Building Management will report back with a full report for Council’s consideration.

4. Impact to Neighbours east of Burrard Bridge

The Fir Street transit route would have some impact to residents and businesses east of Burrard Street. Buildings in the Pennyfarthing Complex generally back onto the route and are approximately 30 metres away. There is a total of four multi-unit residential buildings with approximately 270 units adjacent to the Fir and 1st Street intersection. We can anticipate concerns about noise and increased traffic along Fir Street. Because of these impacts, an extensive public consultation process would be required. This has not yet been initiated.

Conclusion

In summary, once CPR formally responds to our request for access through their property, we will report back again. If the response is positive, we will proceed with further design details about the proposed project.

The financial impacts to the Maritime Museum are presented for information and will be included in the Maritime Museum's annual operating grant request. The upgrading of the walkway and signage between the Maritime Museum and the Pacific Space Centre will be the subject of a separate submission to the Supplementary Capital Budget.

In addition to the above, clarification will be needed with respect to the duration of the bus stop restrictions in the short term. Tour buses will not be allowed to visit the Maritime Museum this year, unless Council gives a clear direction otherwise.

D. H. Rudberg, P.Eng.

General Manager of Engineering Services

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver