LATE DISTRIBUTION
FOR COUNCIL - JULY 27, 1999

II

REPORT TO COUNCIL

CHINATOWN HISTORIC AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

July 21, 1999

RECOMMENDATION

1. A New Chinatown Gate File: 3136-1

As the International Village project nears completion, Chinatown has been wondering whether the development will help or hinder the future of historic Chinatown. The developer, as confirmed by the City's retail consultant, has indicated that the net result of the influx of people to the periphery of Chinatown will be positive and encourage development along Pender.

Additionally the redevelopment of Pender Street is underway, and is at the front of our minds. CHAPC favoured the scheme now being detailed, but with the recommendation that "something" be done to encourage the flow of people along Pender into Chinatown. An opportunity now exists to integrate the "something" into the work underway for a net cost savings.

After some discussion and review of a number of schematic ideas at the July 13, 1999, CHAPC meeting, the idea of constructing a "Chinatown Gate" began to generate enthusiasm. Issues related to the design, funding and the public process were discussed in a very preliminary manner, but the idea of Chinatown acquiring a Gate, and the location across Pender to the east of Taylor, received unanimous support.

A Gate over Pender would be an enormous symbolic contribution to Chinatown, highlighted by the proximity of the approaching millennium. Architecturally, it provides a wonderful transition between the scale of Chinatown and the scale of the adjacent neighbourhood. At Taylor, it perfectly frames the most venerable of Chinatown's institutions, the Chinese Cultural Centre. The concept of a Gate is steeped in tradition, allows Chinatown to announce itself, and provides a missing piece of the heritage puzzle. Although it would be a leap to claim that a project of this nature could "revitalize" Chinatown, if any public intervention of this nature could encourage pride, identity and have a positive impact on Chinatown, the Gate would be that project.

Clause 1 Cont'd

Therefore, as a result of these considerations, the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

RECOMMENDS

THAT the CHAPC advise Council of its support for a Gate over Pender Street as a means to highlight and invite people into historic Chinatown and request Council direct the Engineering Department to consider the concept of a Gate in its redevelopment plan for Pender Street;

FURTHER THAT, to the extent the Engineering Department deems feasible, that all work including subsurface work, services, bulges, lamp standards, signals, grading, street furniture, etc.) in the vicinity of the proposed Gate be coordinated to anticipate the future construction of the Gate (including footings.)

(Signed) "Ronald Bijok"

Ronald Bijok, Chair

Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

COMMENTS OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

On July 13, 1999, CHAPC met to discuss the idea of a Chinatown Gate. CHAPC's goal to build a gate now with the intent to take advantage of any cost savings is commendable; however, there would be little to gain by doing work now. To pour any foundations now based on the Gate Idea without a design or public review would be as much at risk of being the wrong size in the wrong location as in the right location. In addition, there is little opportunity lost in this case as no curb or sidewalk work is proposed on the south side of Pender between Carrall and Taylor. On the north side of Pender, the sidewalk will be widened now and, if and when a Gate design and funding are approved, a foundation can be added at that time.

Therefore, rather than approve the recommendations put forward in the report of CHAPC, the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends:

THAT CHAPC pursue a design and public review of a gate proposal and that Engineering staff work with CHAPC on any engineering issues as needed.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver