The proposed redevelopment of a planned Vancouver subway line has led some residents to worry about the city’s future habitability.
The Vancouver Broadway plan will create enough housing for another 50,000 residents over the next 30 years, centered around a major artery that will be the subway route until 2025.
However, some believe the plan goes too far and voiced concerns at the town hall on Saturday morning.
“What we have is a battle for the soul of the city,” said Bill Tilleman, co-organizer of the rally, in front of a crowd of about 200 people gathered on the steps.
The city’s website describes the Broadway plan as “a comprehensive plan for the Broadway area between Clark Dr. and Vine St., a 30-year vision for new housing, jobs and amenities around the new Broadway subway.”
Planning and engagement of the project began in 2019 and the draft plan will be submitted to the council on May 18 for voting.
Of particular concern to some residents is the creation of a high-density area along Broadway, allowing the construction of residential towers up to 40 stories high. According to the plan, central Broadway will become the second center of the city.
Vancouver resident Liz Botman attended the rally on Saturday, holding a sign reading “Stop the growth of the mega tower.” Botman says he knows the city needs more housing – especially rental housing.
“But let’s have 10-story things,” she said. “(Vancouver) is not so good for living if it’s all towers, skyscrapers and cold shadows.”
Some protesters feared that the reconstruction of existing low-rise buildings along the Broadway corridor would cause them to lose their homes due to so-called demobilization.
“We are not happy that the city thinks it can do what it wants and push us and move us from where we live,” said Josh Zumstein, who lives in Fairview, Vancouver.
“(Relocation) is something we’ve looked at very carefully and we’re very aware of, and we’ve put in the strongest tenant protection in Canada to deal with this really important issue,” said Matt Shilito, acting director of special services. projects.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Kennedy Stewart told reporters that any relocation due to construction would be temporary.
“These people will be fully compensated either by cash payments or the right to return to a new building with or under their current rents,” he said.
The cash payment plan for tenants who need to be relocated for development or renovation already exists under this Vancouver Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy.
And the option for tenants to leave and then return to new construction at the same or lower rent was included in the council staff presentation in November.
Vancouver-based architect and city blogger Brian Palmquist says the scale of Broadway’s plan is too large. He says Vancouver’s population is growing by one percent every year since Expo 86. However, he says the Broadway plan assumes that Vancouver is growing by 3 percent a year.
“Until we find out – wait, where do these people come from?” It will be too late. “We will have many more empty high-rise buildings than we already have,” he said. “This is really the destruction of our city as we know it.”
City officials disagree.
“This is the most logical place to adjust to the growth we know is coming,” Shilito said.
“This is a brand new fast transport line. It’s a $ 3 billion investment, and it’s really important to take advantage of it and help make the neighborhoods it passes through fuller, more inclusive and sustainable over the next 30 years. “
With files from Alice Thibault from CTV
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