[GS8]

It's official. Say goodbye to the twins...

Vancouver viaducts to be removed, votes council - British Columbia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-viaducts-vote-remove-1.3291781)

Vote was 5-4, cost of project will be around $300 million. Looks like they'll add more housing, park expansion, a bike bridge and construct an 8 way lane merging Expo & Pacific Boulevards.

Call me cynical, but I can't help but think this whole thing was pre-approved ages ago and the city just carried through an act to make it look like they gave a shit what people thought.

Oh and source of funding is currently undecided :derp:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-10-27-at-7.12.26-PM.png

[Ch28]

I don't know how they can approve something that has no source of funding

[kross9]

not to mention whos going to pay for the water/sewage upgrades power and all that jaz on top...

yay looks like we go years of construction to wait through too!

[TypeRNammer]

So when is the next municipal vote?

[MG1]

Wow, I saw the old viaduct being torn down to be replaced with this one that is now going to be torn down.

[Durrann]

funding from rich mainlanders lol

[rslater]

If a new city council changes and Vision is no longer in power, before 2018 can the city change its decision or is it binding?

[Tone Loc]

Call me cynical, but I can't help but think this whole thing was pre-approved ages ago and the city just carried through an act to make it look like they gave a shit what people thought.

Oh and source of funding is currently undecided :derp:


I don't think you're being cynical. It's a relatively well-known fact that Robertson has been batting for developers since day one, and these same developers have a ton of money to gain by building on viaduct lands. These same developers are my best guess as to where the majority of the funding will come from.

It's cunning really, pander to the greenies/hippies/left-wingers by introducing draconian recycling/trash initiatives and forcing cycling infrastructure down everyone's throats while simultaneously selling out the city to wealthy foreign buyers and developers/real estate brokers who are all too eager to make a profit...

[StylinRed]

what the Aquilini's want the Aquilini's get f'get about it

[meme405]

Lol this has nothing to do with Aquilini, he's about as insignificant as Steven Harper is now.

This project is all part of the Concorde Pacific Master plan, and the area around this project is like their crowning jewel. They have literally been sitting on the land around that area for decades. And now, just as they are starting to look towards completion of the projects on the opposite side of BC place, all of a sudden this area gets fully green lit for development.

The project has an obvious source of funds, Concorde will make a deal with the government to build out the new infrastructure, in return they will get the green light to do whatever the fuck with the land that they own in the rest of that area, which could be worth BILLIONS.

That Creekside park extension will never go through, or once it does it will be HALF the size of what is shown on that map. Literally a bunch of the land it is shown as taking over isn't owned by the city, it's owned by Concorde.

EDIT: Lol you can even see Concorde's display center is located right in the middle of that proposed creekside park expansion.

That park is gonna get axed almost entirely once negotiations around the lands start being discussed. If anything concorde will pull that park entirely inland and keep the lands around the water for new buildings.

I'd love to see their mockups for the area, cause I'm willing to bet those are a thousand times more realistic than the cities grand scheme which is just a pipe dream.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

I don't know how they can approve something that has no source of funding

Well, we all know that developers will be involved...lol


Sale or lease of city land
Developer levies
Community amenity contributions


In any case, they didn't have the funding for upgrading and keeping the viaducts. The costs were estimated to be:

$8-10M to maintain over 15 years
$50-65M for seismic upgrades
$15M for a new pedestrian connection to North East False Creek on Georgia.

With the new St.Pauls Hospital going in the False Creek Flats area, it was either tear down and replace the viaducts or remove them completely. Building new viaducts were deemed too costly.

[The_AK]

Something to take away - the same people that approved this are the same people that created that map legend.

[meme405]

Something to take away - the same people that approved this are the same people that created that map legend.

LOL.

I saw that, so ridiculous. If you just rotate it, it can become whatever you want...

Apparently nobody thought about perhaps using different colours or something. Nope has to be green, cause we need to have it clear those are green spaces...

:rukidding:

[melloman]

meme is right on the money.

Concord Pacific has owned this land since Expo 86 closed up and the land was left an abandoned parking lot.

They are the sole developer and the main reason Robertson pushed to get the viaducts demolished. Concord gets more highrises (think it was 6 in the plan) and Robertson gets more bikes lanes and a park.

Personally, I will not be going into downtown from the East now, period. I would rather use Cambie/Granville and Burrard bridges as this will be a shitshow for the next 5 years. All the viaduct traffic will overflow into Hastings & Powell because people will avoid Expo/Pacific during demolition.

[Soundy]

Call me cynical, but I can't help but think this whole thing was pre-approved ages ago and the city just carried through an act to make it look like they gave a shit what people thought.
You're cynical - that sort of thing NEVER happens in Vancouver, and has certainly NEVER happened before with Vision.
:ilied:

not to mention whos going to pay for the water/sewage upgrades power and all that jaz on top...
What upgrades? You just plug it all into the existing stuff and hope everyone doesn't flush at once.

[StylinRed]

Lol this has nothing to do with Aquilini, he's about as insignificant as Steven Harper is now.

This project is all part of the Concorde Pacific Master plan, and the area around this project is like their crowning jewel. They have literally been sitting on the land around that area for decades. And now, just as they are starting to look towards completion of the projects on the opposite side of BC place, all of a sudden this area gets fully green lit for development.

The project has an obvious source of funds, Concorde will make a deal with the government to build out the new infrastructure, in return they will get the green light to do whatever the fuck with the land that they own in the rest of that area, which could be worth BILLIONS.

That Creekside park extension will never go through, or once it does it will be HALF the size of what is shown on that map. Literally a bunch of the land it is shown as taking over isn't owned by the city, it's owned by Concorde.

EDIT: Lol you can even see Concorde's display center is located right in the middle of that proposed creekside park expansion.

That park is gonna get axed almost entirely once negotiations around the lands start being discussed. If anything concorde will pull that park entirely inland and keep the lands around the water for new buildings.

I'd love to see their mockups for the area, cause I'm willing to bet those are a thousand times more realistic than the cities grand scheme which is just a pipe dream.

really? that's interesting to know

i just recall very early on, the aquilinis were pushing for a solution for development expansion in the area and then the story died away fairly quickly and a little while later rumblings of the viaducts coming down started happening and grew and grew, figured it was them getting their way

[sdubfid]

hope f1 course is part of the budget

[Hondaracer]

Gregor obviously had motives to let less cars into the downtown core as well.

Was just on them coming into DT at 10:15 it was fucking slammed..yea gonna be great diverting that to other veins.

[320icar]

This just seems like such a waste of time and money and is going to inconvenience so many people for so many years. The bad outweigh the good in my mind

[Wormiez]

Pattison Group has the second majority share of land assets in this area. Their land resides in between and behind the Viaducts. They are probably one of the majority gainers from the demolition of the Viaducts.

[Gumby]

Something to take away - the same people that approved this are the same people that created that map legend.
That map legend... :lawl:

[twitchyzero]

bring back the Molson Indy :moderated:

[Liquid_o2]

Here is the new proposed road system from the city engineers. If they are able to ensure that developers cover the project costs, this could work. Having Pacific go both ways and having a major signalized intersection at Pacific and Georgia would ensure that traffic flows properly in both directions in/out from downtown. Georgia and Pender then become the major entryway and exit points from the core. My fear as always, is that developers control this city and end up screwing over the taxpayers.

http://i.imgur.com/1nKpfX5.jpg

[unit]

looks like downtown is creeping into chinatown

[Liquid_o2]

Look at the corner of Main and Keefer. It already is.

[Tapioca]

Chinatown is no longer the Chinatown that I grew up visiting in the 1980s as a kid on the weekends. It's been taken over by hipsters and affluent people. Ironic considering that no one wanted to be in that neighbourhood at the turn of the 20th century, so that was the only part of the city the Chinese were allowed to live. /rant

Oh well, at least there are some nice restaurants. Mamie Taylor's and the Union are nice spots for brunch.

Thankfully, I'm not commuting by car these days. It'll be interesting to see how much of these plans come to fruition. The cyclists will be well-accommadated, but the drivers will be less so.

[CivicBlues]

Fuck Robertson.

All you idiots got exactly what you deserved by voting him in (or not voting him out) last year. Too bad all of us have to pay for it.

[Eff-1]

Bunch of jerks.

[Soundy]

Chinatown is no longer the Chinatown that I grew up visiting in the 1980s as a kid on the weekends. It's been taken over by hipsters and affluent people. Ironic considering that no one wanted to be in that neighbourhood at the turn of the 20th century, so that was the only part of the city the Chinese were allowed to live. /rant

All of West Vancouver is now Chinatown, although nobody actually lives there, they just own all the houses.

[westopher]

Good bye Plaza.FeelsBadMan

[pastarocket]

The shitstorm of traffic as a result of the construction of new roadways after the viaduct demolition would affect ambulances which would go to the new hospital.

How are paramedics going to get patients to the new hospital quickly in the future if the road construction is ongoing while the new hospital is available?

[tonyzoomzoom]

the paramedics can use bikes to chauffeur the patients around.

[Mike Oxbig]

Theyre trying to push the e hastings homeless further more to east van neighborhood

[GabAlmighty]

I just want them to start tearing down the West End so I can get bought out

[Verdasco]

fucking dank man.. fucking dank .... how to get to downtown faster from east van? FeelsBadMan FeelsBadMan

[Ch28]

Viaduct removal not a done deal, says B.C. transportation minister - British Columbia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/viaduct-removal-todd-stone-1.3293121)

Viaduct removal not a done deal, says B.C. transportation minister: Part of viaducts on provincial land, says Todd Stone, and no meaningful conversations have happened.

B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the City of Vancouver needs to "cool down" on its plan to remove the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts.

Last night, city councillors voted 5-4 to remove the viaducts, which are a major route into downtown Vancouver from the east side. Mayor Gregor Robertson called the plan a "once-in-a-generation city-building opportunity," but the province, which owns some of the land beneath the viaducts, may have other plans.

"I checked with my officials and it has been a number of years since the city took any meaningful steps to reach out to PAVCO which owns and operates B.C. place," said Stone. Stone said the province wants to address concerns about access and soil remediation.

The city's vote is no surprise; it's spent years mulling a plan to tear down the vestigial highways and replace them with condos, parks, and at-grade streets. Stone said provincial officials didn't attend the more than 50 public meetings about the plan over the summer, as it was up to the city to come to them. But Robertson said city staff had met with PavCo at least eight times over the past two years.

[GS8]

First shovel wasn't supposed to hit the ground for a couple of years so there's still time for the Fiberals to flip flop on this one

[CivicBlues]

Or...this thing can be delayed till 2018, in which then we can vote the bums out and the party in place can put a stop to this idiocy.

[6o4__boi]

lol fat chance...
I'm glad I don't live in Vancouver anymore.

the 50% of Vancouver who votes are either old as fuck or idiots too afraid of changes and will probably vote Vision again

[CivicBlues]

In any case I hope the Provincial Gov't pulls a CP rail and tells Gregor to kiss their ass.

[Soundy]

I haven't lived IN Vancouver for 20+ years but the shit Vision comes up with affects me every time I have to come into town (especially downtown) for work. My work van won't fit most underground parking, so I'm mainly stuck with street parking, and the continuous disappearance of street parking (especially to bike lanes) means some days I'm circling for up to half an hour looking for a spot.

[Tapioca]

fucking dank man.. fucking dank .... how to get to downtown faster from east van? FeelsBadMan FeelsBadMan

Ride your bike, of course. Takes me 35 minutes door-to-door from my shoebox to office. Faster than Skytrain and way faster than driving over the viaduct.

Save the car for Sunday morning drives. Seriously.

[N.V.M.]

Ride your bike, of course. Takes me 35 minutes door-to-door from my shoebox to office. Faster than Skytrain and way faster than driving over the viaduct.

Save the car for Sunday morning drives. Seriously.


bikes are so practical for half the year in Vancouver

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DSC01200-984x461.jpg

[meme405]

Ride your bike, of course. Takes me 35 minutes door-to-door from my shoebox to office. Faster than Skytrain and way faster than driving over the viaduct.

Save the car for Sunday morning drives. Seriously.

If you hadn't thrown in that "seriously" right at the end, I would have thought you were trolling.

As with the above guy, i'd argue that it's close to 8 or 9 months out of the year that bikes are useless in this city.

Also I can't show up at work sweaty and gross, and I have no interest in getting to the area around my office 30 minutes earlier in order to shower. If I'm showing up even earlier than I already go to work, it's because I am busy and I have shit to do. Not because I want to wash the disgusting off me since I had to ride a childrens toy to the office. (Obvious TopGear reference).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCt7T20N07U

[Infiniti]

bikes are so practical for half the year in Vancouver

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DSC01200-984x461.jpg

If last winter was any indication of whats to come this year, this could be a much dryer winter than the usual wet one Vancouver is used to.

[jasonturbo]

If people bike to work all year in Edmonton, doing it in Van should be no problem :nyan:

I think the general idea is that the city is looking to limit the amount of vehicle traffic downtown and has a long term vision of more transit use, more bikes, and more pedestrians, and you have to admit, it's probably the right thing to do in the long term.

Personally I build my life around not having to commute, hate that shit, I can't imagine how mad I would be on my deathbed if god was like "BTW jason, did you know that you wasted 6 years of your life sitting in traffic on your way to and from work?"

No fucking thanks lol

It's all a matter of opinion I suppose, but compared to the rest of the major Canadian downtown cores, Van>all for parking and access/egress.

You think finding parking in Van can be a pain in the ass, go play that game in DT Toronto or Montreal... so much worse.

[Infiniti]

If people bike to work all year in Edmonton, doing it in Van should be no problem :nyan:

I think the general idea is that the city is looking to limit the amount of vehicle traffic downtown and has a long term vision of more transit use, more bikes, and more pedestrians, and you have to admit, it's probably the right thing to do in the long term.

Personally I build my life around not having to commute, hate that shit, I can't imagine how mad I would be on my deathbed if god was like "BTW jason, did you know that you wasted 6 years of your life sitting in traffic on your way to and from work?"

No fucking thanks lol

It's all a matter of opinion I suppose, but compared to the rest of the major Canadian downtown cores, Van>all for parking and access/egress.

You think finding parking in Van can be a pain in the ass, go play that game in DT Toronto or Montreal... so much worse.

Don't forget Toronto traffic! Gosh, its bad! and the TTC is not exactly fantastic either.

[jasonturbo]

Toronto is just an awful shit hole in general.

Downtown core is gross, everything is so close together, most of the buildings are old and ugly, there is no green space, sidewalks are packed with people, vehicle traffic is brutal, it's cold as fuck in the winter etc. I have never understood how people end up in the position where they are debating a move to Van or TO, there is no comparison as far as I'm concerned.

Downtown Van is by far the nicest downtown core I have encountered in North America. I think the city and the people have done a very good job developing a downtown core where anything new going up tends to compliment the area, not ruin it.

[Soundy]

Toronto is just an awful shit hole in general.

Downtown core is gross, everything is so close together, most of the buildings are old and ugly, there is no green space, sidewalks are packed with people, vehicle traffic is brutal, it's cold as fuck in the winter etc. I have never understood how people end up in the position where they are debating a move to Van or TO, there is no comparison as far as I'm concerned.
You must have been in a different part of downtown Toronto than I was.

[GLOW]

the paramedics can use bikes to chauffeur the patients around.

http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CareCar.jpg

Kappa :troll:

[jasonturbo]

You must have been in a different part of downtown Toronto than I was.

Sounds like you were staying on the corner or Imagination St. and Denial Ave.

:troll:

You must agree, downtown YVR feels much more open and green?

[Liquid_o2]

I lived in Toronto for two years. Driving downtown is an absolute nightmare, especially during rush hour. Public transportation is packed downtown, especially during rush hour, but I would rather be on the subway or streetcar than driving down Queen Street at 5pm.

Toronto is an amazing city though, the amount of things to do on a nightly basis trumps Vancouver 100 times over. But quality of life from livability perspective is better in Vancouver obviously since we have the ocean, parks, seawall, weather, etc.

[Soundy]

Sounds like you were staying on the corner or Imagination St. and Denial Ave.
Adelaide and Jarvis, actually... right across from St. James Cathedral (stunning) and a huge park. The 15-minute walk to the job site at Adelaide and Bay (new Cactus Club) went past an even mix of old and newer buildings (a couple still under construction). A couple times I went a block further south and walked down King St., even nicer architecture there, and little parks every couple blocks.

You must agree, downtown YVR feels much more open and green?
Hmmm, again, not from the part I was in. Aside from the buildings being taller, and the lack of mountains in the background, it didn't feel much different. Flatter, of course, which make the walk easier. The big towers down there tend to have much larger open plazas around them, too. Did a few different routes, over the seven different visits in the past year, I wouldn't say any of them were all that different from downtown Vancouver... it just all sprawls a lot further.

If I do have to go back in winter, the nice thing is, there's a PATH (http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f537b454b35a2410VgnVCM100000 71d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=04708b7a29891410VgnVCM10000071d60f89 RCRD) entrance about half a block from the hotel, which takes me to FCP entirely underground.

Hey, I hate Tee-Dot as much as any Western Canadian, but I have to admit, I enjoyed my time there (as much as possible, being away from my pups). Works Burger, Jack Astor's, Hockey Hall of Fame... :fuckyea:

Edit: oh yeah, if there's any reason to visit TO, for the hockey fan, it's the HHOF. SO much more than just NHL - huge sections dedicated to Olympic hockey, international hockey, lots of lots of tributes to minor hockey. The Great Hall is the fucking treasure trove - all the legends are honored there, both from on and off the ice (the mighty Jim Robson even has a space).

[Soundy]

I lived in Toronto for two years. Driving downtown is an absolute nightmare, especially during rush hour. Public transportation is packed downtown, especially during rush hour, but I would rather be on the subway or streetcar than driving down Queen Street at 5pm.
Can't speak to that - I walked to and from site most of the time. Whenever I did need to go somewhere further, I got a cab (or limo to/from YYZ), and the cabbies were actually all really good. Had one guy take me to a bunch of different suppliers while I looked for parts, he was great.

One thing we did notice is that there are very few "mid-size" cars - it's either compacts that can squeeze in and out of traffic, or monster SUVs that just intimidate their way through.

Toronto is an amazing city though, the amount of things to do on a nightly basis trumps Vancouver 100 times over. But quality of life from livability perspective is better in Vancouver obviously since we have the ocean, parks, seawall, weather, etc.
TO has lake, parks, seawall... granted, given the sheer size of the place, it's not as easy to live very close to the water and seawall, but it's all there.

Weather, on the other hand... the humidity was stupid, felt hotter at 25 there than it does at 35 here. Ugh.

[Liquid_o2]

Can't speak to that - I walked to and from site most of the time. Whenever I did need to go somewhere further, I got a cab (or limo to/from YYZ), and the cabbies were actually all really good. Had one guy take me to a bunch of different suppliers while I looked for parts, he was great.

One thing we did notice is that there are very few "mid-size" cars - it's either compacts that can squeeze in and out of traffic, or monster SUVs that just intimidate their way through.


TO has lake, parks, seawall... granted, given the sheer size of the place, it's not as easy to live very close to the water and seawall, but it's all there.

Weather, on the other hand... the humidity was stupid, felt hotter at 25 there than it does at 35 here. Ugh.

I didn't have a car while I was in Toronto, but whenever I used car sharing or was in a friends ride, it was an absolute pain. Downtown that is. I lived up at Yonge and Eglinton and it wasn't too bad as long as you stayed off the highways.

Can't compare the Toronto waterfront to what Vancouver has. Yah it's nice, and I love the Toronto Islands during the summer, but nothing can compare to what we have here on the west coast. High Park is the closest thing to Stanley Park but it pales in comparison. Trinity Bellwoods park is an awesome place to drink in though, the amount of times I got day drunk there.... :whistle:

[jasonturbo]

If you want nice architecture skip TO and head right to Montreal, no comparison at all.

I spent about 3 months in Toronto last year, stayed near University and King. I don't hate TO because I'm from Western Canada, I hate TO because I would never want to live there... I know this sounds disgusting but I prefer Edmonton over TO. So much in fact that I turned down a 4 year contract worth a disgusting amount of money because I didn't want to live there and have to sit in traffic 2-3 days per week.

Obviously everyone will see things differently, I didn't despise TO when I was only there a few days at a time, but a couple of 1 month+ stints and I was like FUCK THIS PLACE.

HHOF is cool but it's one and done, not worth repeat visits.

Van is just an amazing city, I can't think of anywhere else I wold rather live except maybe SFO (Marin City) or Socal (Newport Coast, Laguna Niguel).

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/55572475.jpg

[Hondaracer]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/sniperslayer/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/sniperslayer/media/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg.html)

10:15 am

On the TO point everyone who I know who moved from BC to TO wants to get back to BC. Most are in finance or marketing though so it's a lot easier to make a go of it there than here in those fields.

Also a lot of their friends who they've made living there who were born and raised in and around TO are all fucking weirdos who I couldn't care to be around lol. Completely different type of social circles out there

[jasonturbo]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/sniperslayer/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/sniperslayer/media/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg.html)

10:15 am

On the TO point everyone who I know who moved from BC to TO wants to get back to BC. Most are in finance or marketing though so it's a lot easier to make a go of it there than here in those fields.

Also a lot of their friends who they've made living there who were born and raised in and around TO are all fucking weirdos who I couldn't care to be around lol. Completely different type of social circles out there

Gardiner lol What a brutal piece of road. There is construction on that bridge every single night, of every single day, and there will be forever. (LOL thought that was view of Rogers Centre from the Gardiner at first, fail)

Yeah TO is the white collar centre of the earth as far as Canada is concerned.

And yes... those who have lived their entire lives seem to have no interest in ever leaving and are mainly of the mind set that TO is the centre of the earth in general.

[Harvey Specter]

I believe they want to get rid of most of the Gardiner expressway and go ground level.

And on the topic of TO, I actually liked TO when I lived there for a few months last year for work and loved it. It's got a big city feel and there's plenty to do.

[Soundy]

If you want nice architecture skip TO and head right to Montreal, no comparison at all.
I'm sure they'll open a Cactus there soon enough... :whistle:

[Jmac]

If last winter was any indication of whats to come this year, this could be a much dryer winter than the usual wet one Vancouver is used to.
Warmer and drier according to the NOAA.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2015/101515-noaa-strong-el-nino-sets-the-stage-for-2015-2016-winter-weather.html

[Lomac]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/sniperslayer/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/sniperslayer/media/07D8D2D7-8B77-4FCA-AAF7-2D21E063408D_zpshuxdharq.jpg.html)

10:15 am


Hey, look at all those cyclists taking up that extra lane! Gregor's plan is totally working!

[StylinRed]

Hey, look at all those cyclists taking up that extra lane! Gregor's plan is totally working!

there are some cyclists in the afternoon/evening, if that helps :lol

[drunkhomer]

what about the skytrain that runs parallel to the viaducts?

[Soundy]

what about the skytrain that runs parallel to the viaducts?

Good question. Part of the reasoning for tearing the viaducts down is to make more land available for development without them getting in the way... but the Skytrain guideway cuts right through there too.

[european]

I guess it's time to dust off my old board and go skateboarding one last time at The Plaza before they tear down a world renowned skatepark.



Take my camera and make a video for RS? :considered: ....... yup!! :accepted:

[Mr.HappySilp]

Gregor obviously had motives to let less cars into the downtown core as well.

Was just on them coming into DT at 10:15 it was fucking slammed..yea gonna be great diverting that to other veins.

What I don't get is this really annoys ppl going into downtown. I mean a few years ago My family/friends would still consider going to DT for dinner on a weekend now we don't even bother coz of the traffic. If this keeps up I think a lot of ppl will avoid going to DT unless they have to.

[Soundy]

What I don't get is this really annoys ppl going into downtown. I mean a few years ago My family/friends would still consider going to DT for dinner on a weekend now we don't even bother coz of the traffic. If this keeps up I think a lot of ppl will avoid going to DT unless they have to.
Then they'll say to take transit instead, but that's a lot of time and screwing around to sit on the loser cruiser for 2-3 hours just to go for dinner.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Then they'll say to take transit instead, but that's a lot of time and screwing around to sit on the loser cruiser for 2-3 hours just to go for dinner.

Skytrain is great when i go to work (is actually faster than driving since I live pretty close to a station and work is 5mins away from a station as well) but taking it just to eat dinner? Hell no I rather have instant noodles at home. Vision have to remember that when ppl go to DT they also go shopping, it sucks having to carry bags and bags of what you purchase and taking the skytrain or riding the a bike lol. Also when is raining who wants to ride the smelly skytrain for dinner and then walk in the rain to get soak.

[Soundy]

Also, I live in Abby... Pitt Meadows before that. Gotta drive minimum half an hour just to get SkyTrain, then you need somewhere to park. New West has zero park-and-rides. Closest one is Scott Road, but there's no way I'm leaving my vehicle there in the evening :fuckthatshit:

[Liquid_o2]

Then they'll say to take transit instead, but that's a lot of time and screwing around to sit on the loser cruiser for 2-3 hours just to go for dinner.

Live closer to downtown so it doesn't take 2-3 hours. I downsized significantly when moving to Vancouver, but I can be downtown in under 20 minutes if I play the buses right. Worth it to be close to all the amenities.

And outside of rush hour, I never have issues with traffic getting in and out of downtown. Usually smooth sailing unless there is a big event. Vancouver's "downtown traffic" is nothing in comparison to Calgary, San Fran, Houston, Atlanta, etc. To me it still feels like I'm driving in a small city when I'm downtown.

[Soundy]

Live closer to downtown so it doesn't take 2-3 hours.

That assumes someone wants to be downtown regularly. And it misses the point: Vision's moves to gradually eliminate vehicle traffic from the core means it's less and less attractive as a shopping and entertainment destination for anyone not within easy reach of transit. It makes people like me, who actually prefer not living in the middle of chaos, think twice about saying, "honey, let's go in for dinner and a play and maybe hit up Nordstrom's" because it's just too much headache.

And outside of rush hour, I never have issues with traffic getting in and out of downtown.
Easy to do if you don't work as a service tech who NEEDS to get down there during the day, along with a truck full of equipment and tools.

Then again, maybe Vancouverites just want to have the downtown all to themselves and this is all just a calculated plan to keep the suburbans away....

[Hondaracer]

if you live east of 200th the idea of "easilly" getting to downtown is a pipe dream anyways. Might as well give up on the idea of having dinners downtown or going for drinks etc. because it's a massive PITA to get back home

i went the other way in that i moved from Surrey, albeit right on the freeway in Fraser Heights, to Burnaby. Dont see myself moving back east across the fraser, perhaps ever again.

My GF who grew up in East Van, hastings Sunrise specifically, did not have her drivers licence until i met her and forced her to get it. However, hanging around constantly in east van now i've grown to appreciate the ease in which you can go and be anywhere/do anything when you're that close to DT.

Growing up in Surrey me and my friends used to know people all over, Richmond, Langley, Vancouver, etc. and all of us had our cars, because it was either driving, or longggg ass transit rides. Later in life as the group of friends expanded you'd always run into the people, both in person and online such as here on RS, who are like "lol i dont even know how to get to Surrey"

it might sound asinine, but in reality, unless you had good friends or family there, there is almost no reason to go, where as me and my friends were pretty much forced to go out into the other parts of the lower mainland

[Soundy]

if you live east of 200th the idea of "easilly" getting to downtown is a pipe dream anyways. Might as well give up on the idea of having dinners downtown or going for drinks etc. because it's a massive PITA to get back home
I pretty much gave up on hitting metal shows at the downtown clubs, unless it's a good friend's band playing. I love the music and the atmosphere and I have a blast shooting pics, but it's a loooooooong bloody drive, and fighting traffic on the way in. Stopped renewing my Lions season tickets years ago because it cost more to park than the seats themselves. Other than work, like you say, I have practically no reason to go downtown.

[500mph88]

Okay can we deal with the homeless situation first? I think the problem is most of us don't understand that 'humans' are our biggest resource. Let's invest in them first, invest in each other before going all crazy spending my tax money. What about helping them get jobs? How about hiring a math tutor (https://www.studypug.com/blog/how-to-help-your-children-in-math/) or two to teach the homeless. Calling Vancouver beautiful (https://huntercanada.ca/vancouver-seo-consultant/) while we have this 'stain' in our backyard is like driving a Lamborghini with one wooden door. Okay I suck at analogies but you get the idea . . .

[Hondaracer]

whatever a fire hose pushing the DTES into the ocean costs, im in

[minoru_tanaka]

Okay can we deal with the homeless situation first? I think the problem is most of us don't understand that 'humans' are our biggest resource. Let's invest in them first, invest in each other before going all crazy spending my tax money. Calling Vancouver beautiful while we have this 'stain' in our backyard is like driving a Lamborghini with one wooden door. Okay I suck at analogies but you get the idea . . .

Everyone who's watched The Wire remember Hamsterdam? We should make a Vansterdam. Find some area outside of town, ship all the druggies there. Arrest any drug dealer outside of that area and drop them off there.

Redevelop the DTES. City keeps a few towers to collect rent and the rent money goes to take care of these people, medical, food and drugs. Nevermind that will never happen

[meme405]

Okay can we deal with the homeless situation first? I think the problem is most of us don't understand that 'humans' are our biggest resource. Let's invest in them first, invest in each other before going all crazy spending my tax money. Calling Vancouver beautiful while we have this 'stain' in our backyard is like driving a Lamborghini with one wooden door. Okay I suck at analogies but you get the idea . . .

I wont disagree with you, people are our biggest resource. Unfortunately helping those who aren't trying to help themselves, or willing to make a reasonable effort is costly and will never really work. Just like the rich parent who keeps bailing out their irresponsible kid.

BUT, Lets flow with your idea and look at this logically.

Lets say you had 10 million dollars, how would you "invest" that money if it was your own? Would you:

A. Invest it in a tangible asset, say a building, or atleast a series of condos.

OR

B. Give it away to a bunch of homeless people in the hopes that some of them become successful and can somehow repay you.

---------

The city went with Option A, and I can't blame them. Vancouver's homeless problem isn't one that can be solved by throwing money at it. The more money you hand out to people, the more people will line up to get a piece of the pie. I mean come on who doesn't want free cash or subsidies.

Homelessness is something that simply cannot be eradicated by public housing, or handouts. PERIOD.

[Soundy]

But...but... Gregor promised homeless in Vancouver would be ELIMINATED by 2015!

[GLOW]

But...but... Gregor promised homeless in Vancouver would be ELIMINATED by 2015!

i'm sure there were people out there that were smelling what he was cookin' :troll:
http://i.cbc.ca/1.2903805.1422916950!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/gregor-robertson-feature.jpg

he already folded and played the blame game
Vancouver mayor says city?s ?warmer weather? to blame as he fails goal to end homelessness by 2015 | National Post (http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/vancouver-mayor-says-citys-warmer-weather-to-blame-as-he-fails-goal-to-end-homelessness-by-2015)

[Hondaracer]

Drive through the DTES on a sunny day. Homelessness is never going to end when a large population of the people there seemingly WANT to be there. They want to be downtown, they want to be with their friends hanging out all day

There are people laying in fold out lawn chairs playing on their phones with a beer next to them parked up beside the insite location like its fucking cabo.

[Soundy]

he already folded and played the blame game
Vancouver mayor says city?s ?warmer weather? to blame as he fails goal to end homelessness by 2015 | National Post (http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/vancouver-mayor-says-citys-warmer-weather-to-blame-as-he-fails-goal-to-end-homelessness-by-2015)

Drive through the DTES on a sunny day. Homelessness is never going to end when a large population of the people there seemingly WANT to be there. They want to be downtown, they want to be with their friends hanging out all day

There are people laying in fold out lawn chairs playing on their phones with a beer next to them parked up beside the insite location like its fucking cabo.

Personally, I think "homeless" should be enumerated the same as "unemployed": you're only part of the stat if you actually WANT to change your circumstance.

Someone who's sitting on his ass not looking for work is not considered "unemployed", only those who are looking fall into that category.

Similarly, if you're living in a tent, and you're offered an SRO or even a shelter bed, and you turn it down... you're not "homeless". You have a home, and that home is a tent.

Come to think of it... surprised Mayor Moonbeam hasn't used this as part of his excuse. "Everyone who WANTED to be inside has a place... those who want to stay outside aren't homeless. Job well done, guys!"

[SumAznGuy]

Come to think of it... surprised Mayor Moonbeam hasn't used this as part of his excuse. "Everyone who WANTED to be inside has a place... those who want to stay outside aren't homeless. Job well done, guys!"

Had a talk with a friend who works with the homeless and it's true.
It's nuts, but there is a large amount of people who rather not work and live on the streets than have a roof over their heads and a boss to deal with.
Even when it is snowing and cold, these people would rather be "free" than be tied down and have to work for the "man".

[melloman]

There is no nice way to put it, the blunt truth is fuck the DTES. It is slowly getting redeveloped as the city grows and it will eventually push the DTES further towards East Van. Once it reaches Clark, then it'll merge with the grungyness of the hookers and dealers around that area.

Let's take this $200 million and use it towards smarter things. $65 million for the upgrades necessary for the viaducts, leaving us with $135 million for other things. Realistically if we need more affordable housing, well there's apparently $135 million just laying around now. :fulloffuck:

[GLOW]

Realistically if we need more affordable housing, well there's apparently $135 million just laying around now. :fulloffuck:

WRONG!!!

that would be $135 million for bike lanes :troll:

[GS8]

INB4 Pacific Boulevard gets renamed to Concord Pacific Boulevard

[Soundy]

WRONG!!!

that would be $135 million for covered, heated bike lanes :troll:

Fixed.