Vancouver approves pilot project for drinking at four outdoor plazas
Posted July 29, 2020 6:46 pm.
Last Updated July 30, 2020 1:49 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver City Council has approved a pilot project that would allow alcohol consumption in some public plazas.
A staff report to council on Wednesday recommended adding four plazas where people can bring their own alcohol and drink outside.
Councillor Pete Fry tells NEWS 1130 while he is happy and recognizes his staff have worked hard towards the motion, he is a little disappointed.
“We would of liked to see more areas and more equitably spread across the city but given the impending timing in the dwindling days of summer this was the best we could do on this timeline,” Fry says.
Enjoying an alcoholic beverage at the Art Gallery's North Plaza is one step closer to becoming a reality. Vancouver City Council has approved a pilot project to allow drinking at four public plazas. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/JACutCKHDn
— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) July 30, 2020
Locations included in the pilot are on Cordova Street at W. Hastings Street, on Bute Street at Robson Street, and on 17th Avenue at Cambie Street. The other area is the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
This stage of the pilot project is to support establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, since fewer people are able to drink indoors.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has detrimentally impacted Vancouver’s businesses and communities,” reads a report to council. “Emergency health and safety restrictions have slowed the spread of the virus, yet have also had negative effects on local businesses and placed barriers on social connectivity.”
The councillor says the motion can be expected to come into effect in a matter of days or weeks but wants to remind Vancouverites the motion approved is a pilot project so the future of drinking at outdoor plazas in the city can evolve.
In a separate decision earlier this week, the Vancouver Park Board voted in favour of a pilot project allowing alcohol in 22 locations around the city — but changes to legislation need to happen before it can start.
