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REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ISSUES

November 24, 1998

RECOMMENDATION

1. Greystone Portside Convention Centre Proposal

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues have reviewed the Portside Convention Centre proposal and has concluded that we would like to alert Council to our concerns.

While the Committee commend Greystone Properties Ltd for retaining an accessibility consultant to participate in the development stages that will follow City approval, the proposed site concept creates significant accessibility issues regarding public transportation.

Vancouver has one of the most progressive public transportation systems and, with minor exceptions, the entire system provides a reasonable means to travel for a significant proportion of people with disabilities. Much of the progress made in increasing the accessibility of public transportation has come from people with disabilities.

One of the current weak links in the system is the excessive distance between the SeaBus terminal, the SkyTrain terminal and the buses on the adjoining streets.

The proposed project not only fails to recognize and strengthen this key transportation node, but further disperses and isolates its elements, compromising the integrity of the system, particularly in terms of travel convenience and travel time.

Greystone acknowledges that the travel time will increase by at least one minute. The Committee considers that the increased time and distance may be considerably greater, particularly for those with mobility impairments.

Greystone is planning a decrease travel time by installing moving sidewalks. This solution may be inappropriate for a number of reasons, including the following.

· A moving sidewalk is neither safe nor appropriate for many people with disabilities. For those who are frail or have limited balance, stepping on and off the sidewalk is challenging and puts them at increased risk of falls and potentially severe injuries such as broken hips. Guide dogs also have difficulty using moving sidewalks.

· For many people with disabilities (such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, AIDS, cardiopulmonary condition and other chronic conditions), even with a moving sidewalk, any amount of walking or standing can be difficult and exhausting.

· Because the SeaBus unloads a significant number of people simultaneously, there will be bottlenecks and increased risk of someone being crowded, pushed or falling as he or she accesses the moving sidewalk.

· All mechanical devices are subject to breakdown, unscheduled repairs and ongoing maintenance. Unpredictable and limited use significantly compromises the viability of this access feature.

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

RECOMMENDS

A. THAT Council recognize the area containing the SeaBus and SkyTrain terminals is a key transportation node;

B. THAT Council request that the Trade and Convention Centre development improve and enhance the public transportation linkages between the SeaBus, buses, SkyTrain and the West Coast Express;

C. THAT Council seek to ensure any modification of any element of this transportation node result in the shortest possible travel times and travel distances;

D. THAT Council seek to ensure that all access is safe, comfortable and convenient for all members of the public, including those with a range of disabilities;

E. THAT Council consider including of the Heliport as part of the transportation node at this site, and that the above recommendations be expanded to include the Heliport.

Signed Katherine Taylor, Co-Chair
Special Advisory committee on
Disability Issues

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager notes the intent of the recommendations of the Committee is legitimate and reasonable. The constraints on the waterfront development are, however, significant, and the extent to which their concerns can be accommodated may be limited.

The City Manager RECOMMENDS that Council endorse the intent of the Committee's recommendations and forward them to Greystone, City staff working on the project and the GVTA.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver