Welcome to the blog section. In this blog I’ll be posting about what is happening around my neighbourhood (Yaletown & False Creek North), Vancouver luxury real estate, real estate and related issues. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, have fun.
Hello. Please find attached an update regarding BC Hydro’s VCCT Project in terms of the work in and around David Lam Park.
As you will see, the schedule has changed from what was communicated in January/February 2011. We had anticipated that work in the park could be finished by the end of June. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances encountered during drilling the 850 metre crossing under False Creek, the schedule has been delayed.
We have finished the drilling and the pipes will be installed through the crossing next week (see attached for more information). We now anticipate finishing the work in the park, including site restoration, by mid-August.
“Creating a real “people place” to relax, play, socialize, enjoy events, and explore neighbourhood heritage”.
The turntable is a historic public plaza that with the exception of a few programmed events is rarely used on a day to day casual basis even though the surrounding neighbourhood is busy and bustling. The mandate of this project is to protect, promote and enhance the existing character and heritage values of the turntable by introducing new, more contemporary but historically compatible elements to animate the plaza and create a stronger sense of place. These elements would provide places to sit, give shelter from the rain as well as shade from the sun, create a focal point on the plaza for events and performances and provide an opportunity for food and drink. Please note some of the elements of the proposed list of changes are tentative as costs for the various elements are still being investigated. • Turntable bridge turn to a more N/S direction to help create a better defined performance space and to better bring people into the Roundhouse plaza • A crane reminiscent of early railway cranes to support light shelter/shading canopies with cables for lighting, banners, and aerial performances to increase current casual and programmed usage options while enhancing the industrial architectural style • Viewing platform overlooking the Turntable pit to feature the bridge turning mechanism and to create an opportunity for historical Interpretation to tell the story of the historic turntable and the Roundhouse • Mist/steam feature for children and families to enjoy reminiscent of the “Age of Steam” • To create and enhance a ‘sense of place’ and animate the plaza, strong, colourful and playful forms e.g. furniture, modular flexible seating, trees, etc.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Turntable Project? The project’s intention is to revitalise the Turntable Plaza area and make it into a more inviting urban space in which to relax, play, socialize and explore neighbourhood heritage.
Why are you doing the project? The plaza has sat mostly unused and desolate for many years yet it has the capacity to become a valued public space. By improving some of the physical features of the plaza we can offer diverse opportunities to use it as a public space - whether as a nice place to sit and have a coffee, or, as a place to come to a farmers market, dance performance, etc. The improvements will also help fulfill the overall mandate of the Roundhouse as an arts and culture facility.
What is happening? The plan is to install sunshades and rain cover in the form of one large moveable crane and canopy, as well as flexible public seating, a water/steam feature, shade trees, the ability for sound and lighting for performances, and interpretive material about the history of the turntable and the Roundhouse.
When is it happening? Work on the project is scheduled to begin in early February 2011 and be completed by mid-July 2011.
What will it be used for? Most of the time, the plaza will simply be an outdoor public space to be used for sitting, talking and for children to play in. A few times a season, the Roundhouse will use the area to host live events which may include dance, music, or theatre-based projects. Farmers markets and book sales are other possibilities that various community members have asked for.
Who is paying for the project? It will be jointly paid for by the Vancouver Park Board / City of Vancouver ($950,000), the Government of Canada as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan ($600,000), and the BC Transmissions Corporation ($250,000).
What consultation has there been? The project has gone through considerable consultation including a design charette planning process in January 2008 and several Open Houses for the public – February 2008, May 2009, May 2010 and September 9, 2010. Members of the Roundhouse community association, community members, Roundhouse staff, artists, designers, planners, heritage planners, West Coast Rail Association staff, Park Board planners, YBIA members, youth and seniors have all been involved at some stage of the process. The Vancouver Park Board approved the concept plan for the project in May 2008.
Who is designing the project? The turntable and pit area including the proposed canopy are being designed by Nick Milkovich Architects Inc, and the seating and other elements will be designed by Phillip Farevaag Smallenberg. The project is lead by a committee that includes members of the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Society board, staff, and Vancouver Parks Board staff.
Will the live events make lots of noise? While there will be some noise associated with events in the plaza, it will remain within the limits defined by the City of Vancouver bylaws.
What about the heritage aspects of the site? Part of the intent of the project is to enhance the heritage components of the Roundhouse. It will include interpretive information to explain the history and function of the Turntable and the Roundhouse. All construction work will be carried out in ways that honour the original heritage aspects of the site and augment it for modern day use.
Who do I send comments to? Comments on the proposed plan can be sent to: Vancouver Park Board 2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6G 1Z4 Attn: Ernest Fanthorpe, Facility Development Coordinator Or e-mail: Ernest.Fanthorpe@vancouver.ca.
What is happening? The Yaletown BIA has located an authentic, decommissioned railway caboose near Mainland and Nelson, alongside Yaletown Park. This is part of a “heritage street furnishings” program undertaken by the Yaletown BIA to commemorate Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary in 2011.
What is it for ? This caboose is an icon and a landmark, recalling the railway history of Yaletown and the connection that Vancouver has long had with rail transportation. The caboose will initially serve as an event centre for community events such as Christmas Toy Drive, Halloween and some celebrations of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary in 2011.
What is a caboose and what is it used for ? This is a railway caboose from the mid- 1900’s that travelled the rails throughout Vancouver and western Canada. The caboose or “brake car” was the final rail car in a train, and served many purposes such as crew quarters, a mobile office and was the brake van for trains on steep inclines and sharp corners. Cabooses were required safety equipment on all trains until the mid-1980’s, when advances in technology made cabooses obsolete.
Why is it located here ? The caboose is located here to celebrate Yaletown’s heritage as an important railyard and transportation hub, as well as being the westernmost terminus of the first national railway in Canada. Being sited beside Yaletown Park will allow easy public access to the caboose, as well as support special events and gatherings in the area. Mainland Street is also an important segment of the Steamline walking route, Vancouver’s newest walking route, connecting the heritage districts of Yaletown and Gastown.>
OPEN HOUSE Thursday, September 9, 2010 6:00 - 8:00 pm Roundhouse Engine 374 Pavilion
“Creating a real “people place” to relax, play, socialize, enjoy events, and explore neighbourhood heritage”. The turntable is a historic public plaza that with the exception of a few programmed events is rarely used on a day to day casual basis even though the surrounding neighbourhood is busy and bustling. The mandate of this project is to protect, promote and enhance the existing character and heritage values of the turntable by introducing new, more contemporary but historically compatible elements to animate the plaza and create a stronger sense of place. These elements would provide places to sit, give shelter from the rain as well as shade from the sun, create a focal point on the plaza for events and performances and provide an opportunity for food and drink. Please note some of the elements of the proposed list of changes are tentative as costs for the various elements are still being investigated.
• Turntable bridge turn to a more N/S direction to help create a better defined performance space and to better bring people into the Roundhouse plaza. • One or two cranes reminiscent of early railway cranes to support light shelter/shading canopies with cables for lighting, banners, and aerial performances to increase current casual and programmed usage options while enhancing the industrial architectural style. • Viewing platform overlooking the Turntable pit to feature the bridge turning mechanism and to create an opportunity for historical Interpretation to tell the story of the historic turntable and the Roundhouse. • Mist/steam feature for children and families to enjoy reminiscent of the “Age of Steam”. • To create and enhance a ‘sense of place’ and animate the plaza, strong, colourful and playful forms e.g. furniture, modular flexible seating, trees, etc. • Re-purposed brick portico (the brick structure next to the Engine 374 Pavilion) for possible vending kiosk.
Learn more about the plans to turn the turntable plaza into a more interesting, interactive, and inviting plaza. The dream is to make it more suitable for sitting, relaxing, enjoying meeting your neighbours, special events, performances and more. Come see the design concepts and drawings. Your ideas and comments are welcome. For further information on this project, please call Ernest Fanthorpe, Park Board Facility Development Coordinator 604 257 – 8458
The enclosed information while deemed to be correct is not guaranteed.
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This small urban oasis offers many pleasant seating areas for eating lunch, reading a paper, or playing a game of chess. A fast-flowing stream culminates in a tiered fountain surrounded by pergolas and lush plantings. When the bright flowers of the summer have faded, mosaics in the streambed and next to the pathway continue to add colour throughout the winter. Recently the park has expanded and now includes a new playground area as well as a fenced dog off leash area. There will be another expansion coming in the future, when the commercial buildings located at the corner of Richards and Davie.
Walking distance to Yaletown restaurants, shops, sky train and marina.
History
The park was officially opened on September 27, 2003 and named for Emery Barnes, a long time community activist and member of the British Columbia Legislature.
Buildings that are located close by (250meters):
Space- 1238 Seymour St., Park Plaza – 1188 Richards St., The Oscar – 1295 Richards St., Brava – 1155 Seymour St., Murchies – 1216 Homer St., Eden – 1225 Richards St., Robinson Tower – 488 Helmcken St., The Oscar – 1295 Richards St., Miro – 1001 Richards St., Elan – 1255 Seymour St., H & H – 1133 Homer St., Donovan – 1055 Richards St., The Hamilton – 1178 Hamilton St., Alda – 1275 Hamilton St., Domus – 1055 Homer St., The Bentley – 1001 Homer St., The Ellison – 1228 Homer St., New Yorker – 1066 Hamilton St., Citycrest – 1155 Homer St., Park View Gardens – 212 Davie St., Gallery – 1010 Richards St., Freesia – 1060 Seymour St., 1241 Homer – 1241 Homer St., Pacific Plaza – 283 Davie St., Del Prado – 1155 Mainland St., The Grace – 499 Drake St., Parklofts – 1168 Richards St., Grace Residence – 1280 Richards St., Governor’s Tower – 388 Drake St.
The enclosed information while deemed to be correct is not guaranteed.
Search for listings on your own Virtual Office Website (VOW), sign up for a FREE subscription and receive listings before mls.ca, in Full Public Printout. search by address, MLS#, street, view walkscore or using your iPhone, Android or iPad.
Keep up to date with Vancouver’s changing real estate market, subscribe via RSS or email
When you’re ready to buy or sell Vancouver real estate, contact Manny Riebeling
A re-development project to convert the Roundhouse Plaza into an outdoor entertainment venue that can hold 500-750 people for concerts and other activities has received funding. This will lead to excess noise in the neighbourhood.
The Roundhouse Community Centre “Turntable” Plaza will be undergoing reconstruction to transform it into an outdoor performance space for concerts, theatre and other community activities such as farmer’s markets. This initiative is being undertaken by the Roundhouse Community Association with Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Funding.
If you are concerned about excess noise that will be generated by concerts being held in this venue, write or email your Parks Board Commissioner. Send your correspondence to:
An open house will be held on September 9, 2010 from 6pm to 8pm where you can get more information.
The enclosed information while deemed to be correct is not guaranteed.
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Then you should attend the False Creek Residents Association Annual General Meeting. At the meeting Aquilini Development and Canadian Metropolitan Properties will present their proposals for the development of the Plaza of Nations and the site surrounding the Rogers Arena. There will be an opportunity for dialogue with the developers and architects.
Where/When:
September 8, 2010 from 6 to 9pm.
Telus World of Science Theatre, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC.
The enclosed information while deemed to be correct is not guaranteed.
Search for listings on your own Virtual Office Website (VOW), sign up for a FREE subscription and receive listings before mls.ca, in Full Public Printout. search by address, MLS#, street, view walkscore or using your iPhone, Android or iPad.
Keep up to date with Vancouver’s changing real estate market, subscribe via RSS or email
When you’re ready to buy or sell Vancouver real estate, contact Manny Riebeling
BC Place Air-Supported Roof Comes Down 10 am, Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 (weather permitting).
For over 27 years, it has been in icon in Vancouver’s skyline and in our neighbourhood, as the largest event facility of its kind in the province, BC Place has hosted over 27 million people since 1983. With major events already happening on over 200 days per year, BC Place is ready to begin the next step in its evolution.
Deflation should take about an hour, after that crews will start to remove the fabric and steel cables. Most of the materials will be donated for recycling,
Timeline of the project is as follows:
May 4th 2010, deflation
Spring-Summer 2010, removal of materials, temporary support tower installation, crane to be installed, steel mast installation, perimeter ring beam installation begins.
Fall 2010, tension ring cable and glazing installation beings.
Winter-Spring 2011, temporary support tower is removed, engaging cables in tension across stadium. Installation of fabric roof sections begins.
Summer 2011, BC Place reopens for events: BC Lions return, and Vancouver’s first MLS soccer franchise plays its first match in BC Place.
November 2011, final completion of retractable roof project. BC Place hosts 2011 CFL Grey Cup.
A new statue has been installed outside of the Yaletown CandaLine Station. The title is Equestrian Monument and it was done by sculptor David Robinson, you can check out his web page at www.robinsonstudio.com
Have you noticed that the trash cans have been removed from Yaletown and some parts of Downtown, here is a picture of the temporary “Trash Rings”, they are made that way to improve the visibility of the contents and minimize the chance of a bomb, during the Winter Olympic Games.
Some of the perks from the Olympic games, we have new light poles and enough electricity for them to work, we previously didn't have enough electric power in the area :)
Great location, North of 4th, steps to beach, Tennis & Yacht Clubs at Jericho Beach & 4th Avenue shops & restaurants. High ceiling, granite countertops,...
