VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The City of Vancouver is looking at ways to make it easier for businesses to make money during the 2010 Olympic Games. Bylaw changes could mean our downtown core will see activity--and spending--at all hours.
According to City Councillor Geoff Meggs, the changes include restaurant patios being able to stay open two hours later--to 1 a.m.; an increase of temporary taxis as well as cabs from outside Vancouver; and deliveries allowed overnight.
Meggs says the hope is that people will stay longer and spend more. "It will be great to see people have a good time and spend a little bit more money, use more of our accommodations and see more tourist attractions. These changes will just make it easier for businesses and residents to function properly."
Meggs says if the changes are successful, it's possible they could be revisited after the Games. If approved by council, the by-law changes would be in effect from January 1 through March 31, 2010.
The proposed by-law changes include:
*Temporarily increasing the number of taxi and limousine licences
to make it easier for residents and visitors to move around the city.
*Extending the hours of restaurant patio service as well as
restaurant seating capacity.
*Requiring the timely removal of graffiti and unauthorized
commercial advertising on construction-site fencing and other sites.
*Prohibiting weapons and alcohol at the City's live entertainment
sites and introducing security screenings at the entrance to the sites.
*Allowing trucks to make deliveries 24 hours a day in the
downtown area.
*Adjusting the start time for refuse pick up each day.