Motion to transform Granville Street into dining oasis for summer heads to council

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It’s an idea one Vancouver City Councillor believes could help restaurants, the arts, and pedestrians; Close the Granville Strip to traffic this summer.

Councillor Sarah Kirby Yung says she’s pitching a pilot project for this summer to turn the area, south of Robson, into a large, open-air pedestrian space, with room for patios, and potential performances from artists.

“In order to create essentially a large, open-air, pedestrian, people-friendly space with patios, that people can gather and enjoy, and might be able to host other things, like an art display to support artists, or even potentially some local musicians who have been starved for the ability to perform,” she says.

She says, like the restaurant industry, the pandemic has hit the arts sector very hard.

“It would be amazing for local artists to be able to have an opportunity to perform, and for people to be able to hear, for example, live music,” she says. “Obviously with COVID-protocols and well-spaced out, but I think it could be a lot of fun.”

If the pilot project is approved, and if it goes well, Kirby-Yung believes the idea could be expanded.

“There’s some beautiful little pop-up patios in the smaller scale, on Cambie Street, South Granville, off Fraser Street, and seeing neighbours come out and just grabbing some take-out from their favourite place and sitting at communal tables, but well spaced out… it’s just amazing to see.”

She says the City would need support from TransLink so buses could be rerouted.

The proposal is expected to come before the council table the week of May 18.