People-Focused Gastown Referral

Motion 32 · Council Meeting, May 9, 2023

Referred Moved by Pete Fry, Christine Boyle

Summary

Motion proposed a bold, people-focused vision for Gastown, including urgent pothole patching on Water Street, initiating a streets and public realm planning process with external placemaking expertise, piloting a car-free or car-light closure of Water Street in summer 2023 or 2024, bringing strategic directions to Council by end of Q2 2024, and exploring converting Cordova Street from one-way to two-way to support pedestrian-friendly Gastown.
Background: $10 million allocated in the 2023-26 Capital Plan for Gastown streets; years of planning and engagement underway but a gap in Council direction for the long-term vision identified by staff.
Referred to the May 10 Standing Committee on City Finance and Services to hear from speakers before debate and decision.