Critics mad over lack of consultation on massive development
Posted October 2, 2013 3:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It’s the largest development announced in Vancouver since infrastructure plans for the 2010 Games.
The ‘False Creek Central’ neighbourhood is a new billion-dollar plan just west of BC Place.
Fern Jeffries with the False Creek Residents Association is concerned because she says traffic is already such an issue. She says if the Georgia Viaducts end up coming down, it’s not going to help the situation.
“I hate to think of what’s going to happen with all these new residents, even if they all have smart cars. We’re still in the worst kind of congestion.”
Concord Pacific also has plans to develop the land next to the Plaza of Nations, turning it into a park but that won’t come until the last phase of the project.
Jeffries is demanding that park becomes a priority and claims it was promised a long time ago but it keeps getting pushed back.
The development will connect Marinaside, Coopers’ Park and Yaletown to a sports and entertainment district.
“[It] is a gateway development, it really is truly, as you enter downtown Vancouver from the south you pass over the Cambie Bridge and you’ll travel right through this neighbourhood, in fact right through a couple of curvilinear high profile buildings,” explains Concord Pacific‘s Vice President of Development Peter Webb.
He hopes it will get rid of Vancouver’s ‘no fun’ reputation. “That’s a big part of what Concord is trying to do here today by announcing a new neighbourhood community.”
It will include eight buildings with 90,000 square feet of amenities. That will include a public fitness and wellness club, restaurants and lounges, cafes, a market, a pharmacy, financial services and boutique retail.
A new bicycle and pedestrian route will also connect downtown Vancouver to the seawall and the Cambie Street bridge.
Dennis Skulsky, BC Lions President says it will be excellent for BC Place. “So many people embrace the sports and entertainment lifestyle and this gives them more options.”
