GRA address to Mayor Sim and Vancouver City Council regarding; 

Report 2. Gastown Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot Update

The GRA would firstly like to thank Mayor Sim and counsel for their commitment to renewing Gastown and for showing the leadership to take on the work that was ignored for so long by previous administrations. 

We would especially like to thank Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung for spearheading these efforts.

Now, having experienced the pilot 24/7 this past summer, the GRA executive has adopted the following positions;

We do not support a permanent closure of Water St to vehicle traffic. 

Nor do we support a pilot like we saw last summer or an extended version thereof.

However, we do fully support a more streamlined version of the pedestrian zone whereby Water St would be closed to traffic several times a year for special events such as “Gastown Days” for two weeks and for select long weekend special events.

Additions such as retractable bollards at the entrance points would help make the conversion for these events smoother and less disruptive to residents and businesses.

The GRA believes that further long-term summer pilots would only be delaying the permanent work that needs doing right now to restore Gastown. Our friends at the GBIS have already listed the infrastructure deficiencies which are most pressing, and we’re in full agreement. 

As to changing Cordova into a 2-way street, we are very concerned that the congestion this could create has never been fully addressed.

For example, we’re concerned that traffic, including buses, could be brought to a standstill by vehicles simply needing to turn left. 

We’re also concerned that the City-owned EasyPark Lot 31, whose entrance and exit ramps were designed to only be accessed by eastbound traffic, won’t be accessible to residents and visitors who would now be travelling west.    

For these and other reasons, we believe that prior to any other actions, a feasibility study is needed, along with detailed traffic modelling which includes the omnipresent construction zones, service vehicles, and road repairs that are already daily challenges along this corridor.

In closing, we all want the same thing – a return to the vibrancy which made Gastown a world-famous destination – and although opinions on exactly how to get there may differ, the GRA again thanks the City for making us a priority, and we look forward to working together to restore our beloved neighbourhood!