City Conversations: The Future of Our Downtown Waterfront

A glassy modernist tower looming over historic Waterfront Station. A 30-story tower across the street. Towers replacing the glorious atrium of the historic Sinclair Centre. The city’s best views from its celebration street, hidden for decades by the black maw of a parkade entrance. The only street level views of water and mountains possibly lost. New developments being designed over the train yard. Tens of thousands of people passing daily through the province’s transportation centre, without a reason to linger. A city transportation and development plan lacking an implementation strategy and perhaps needing an update.

Vancouver’s downtown waterfront suddenly is in play, and all these projects and opportunities are on independent tracks. Do landowners and developers make independent decisions, or does the city act as a coordinator, facilitator and advocate for the public?

Join presenters Graham McGarva, principal of Via Architecture, who is working on designs for a tower at Granville and Cordova Streets, and developments over the CPR rail yard; Anita Molaro, Assistant Director of Planning at the City of Vancouver; and Frank Ducote, representing the citizens’ Downtown Waterfront Working Group. Representatives of Cadillac Fairview, owner of Waterfront Station and the adjacent parking lot planned for development; and Port Metro Vancouver have also been invited.

Then it’s your turn to question, observe, and offer your perspective and opinion. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

This FREE event is co-sponsored by the Vancouver City Planning Commission.