REPORT TO COUNCIL

GASTOWN HISTORIC AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 18, 1998

RECOMMENDATION

1. Heritage Incandescent Lighting in Gastown

PURPOSE

This report responds to City Council's decision in May 1997 to defer a decision that would have converted the Gastown Style Lighting from incandescent to a fluorescent source. Council asked "the community to seek alternative funding for the additional $41,000 per year which is required if the current lighting is retained." This report is submitted by the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee, in consultation with other members of the Gastown community who are interested in the lighting issue.

In addition, the Committee wishes to draw certain technical issues to Council's attention. First, the committee is very concerned about the performance of the test block where fluorescent lights have replaced traditional incandescent bulbs. The failure rate has been quite high, and, we believe, calls the validity of projected cost savings into question. The Committee also suggests that other areas of cost savings could potentially be realized.

POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES

The Committee is pleased to report that it has been able to generate interest in funding incandescent lighting in Gastown and has identified at least two groups who would like to pursue this interest.

The Committee met with a representative from the BC Film Commission who expressed interest on behalf of his organization in assisting with heritage preservation in Gastown, including the lighting style and fixtures which demonstrate so much of the period character of the area. The FILM Commission currently has an agreement with the City of New Westminster, for example, that could be used as a model for application in Gastown. When filming takes place in New Westminster, a contribution is made to the New Westminster Heritage Foundation for conservation in the Queen’s Park area. The heritage character of Queen’s Park, like the heritage character of Gastown, is why the film industry uses these areas.

BC Hydro has expressed interest in assisting financially, as well as offering additional engineering expertise. The Committee has also been advised that a "Special Electrical Rate" could be requested to offset some of the added costs of using incandescent lighting in the historic area.

The Committee also suggests that if Council and staff initiate a "Legacy" style program for the protection of the unique lighting standards that are found in Gastown, there would be willing sponsors.

Having obtained indications of interest from these two potential donors, the Committee now requires assistance from Council and staff to move forward. These donors would benefit from a City sponsored "sponsors' " meeting, at which time any possible tax benefits could be explained and the City could indicate what it would be prepared to do in terms of recognition. It is also felt that a sponsors' meeting would be a useful opportunity to have other possible donors join the Film Commission and BC Hydro to encourage them to participate in this initiative.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Aside from endeavouring to raise funds, the Committee continues to investigate other areas of cost saving that could potentially be realized in Gastown. The committee has previously suggested that the brick road bed on Water Street, and the high speed of traffic, contribute to the vibration of the lamp standards and the premature burn-out of the incandescent lights. GHAPC, the Business Improvement Society and the local Safety Office have suggested various ways to decrease traffic speeds including consideration of a two way system, stop lights and a reduced speed limit. The Committee is supportive of studying initiatives like these for a reduction in vehicle volumes and speed which could reduce lighting costs.

The committee has also been very concerned about the performance of the test block where 50 fluorescent lights have replaced the traditional incandescent bulbs. Our recent survey revealed the following:

*23 fluorescent bulbs were no longer operating

*1 fluorescent bulb was flickering

*1 fixture was broken off

Considering the cost of fluorescent bulbs, a failure rate of 50% over this short period of time is a concern. The adjacent blocks with incandescent lighting did not demonstrate these burnout rates. The ratio in these blocks was about 1 in 50.

CONCLUSION

The Committee appreciates the time Council has provided for additional work to be done on the incandescent lights. The Committee has found strong, potential sponsors and others interested in opportunities to demonstrate financial support for incandescent lighting. The Committee continues to believe that there are technical infrastructure changes that could result in cost savings.

The Committee

RECOMMENDS

A.THAT City staff, especially Finance Department staff, assist with fund raising efforts by holding a sponsors’ meeting to discuss possibilities for tax benefits and donor recognition.

B.THAT Engineering Department staff give serious consideration to the effect changes in traffic might have on incandescent lighting costs.

C.THAT no change be made in the light source until there is a report back on the two initiatives outlined in A and B.

D.THAT the Engineering Department, with community input, proceed to develop a long term lighting plan for Gastown;

AND THAT the City make an application to the B.C. Heritage Trust for a 50% cost shared grant to develop a long-range lighting management plan.

Sue Bennett

Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Engineer has submitted a memo responding to this report, proposing to report back in June 1998, on the issues raised in the report. The City Manager, therefore, RECOMMENDS approval of A, B, and C, and deferral of D for the report back in June.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver