1. Partner with local Nations – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) – to weave their histories, culture, uses and aspirations into Gastown.
2. Enhance Gastown’s public space network, including key Gateways and Maple Tree Square, to center daily public life and support vibrant local businesses, gatherings, and celebrations
3. Make Water Street a people-first, safe, multi-modal retail corridor with a flexible design that can enable events and pedestrian zones
4. Make Cordova Street two-way to improve its overall experience and improve the transportation network for Gastown and beyond
5. Strengthen Gastown’s streetscape character with resilient, accessible and high quality materials.
6. Continue to enhance neighbourhood experience, safety, and operations through City and partner services.

We’ll have more to say on this shortly, but for the moment it’s worth noting that the City is stepping away from one of the real design and programming opportunities for the area: a permanent pedestrianization of Water Street and Maple Tree Square. Instead, car traffic will continue to bisect these important spaces – except during special events. There’s a further bit of uncertainty to note as well: the Plan only proposes to upgrade Maple Tree Square in the near-term, but leaves the actual upgrades to Water Street for a future date.

:: Read the plan: https://council.vancouver.ca/20260422/documents/cfsc2.pdf