Back when city fathers and they were all men dreamed of creating a New Liverpool, they felt that a street car loop would help define the West End neighborhood.
It worked, kind of. The street car did breath life into the neighbourhood roughly bordered by Davie, Denman, Robson and Granville. But instead of becoming a haven for British immigrants, the West End became home to the world.
Today, the West End is the landing pad for many newcomers to Vancouver. Its got a high turnover of apartment rentals because its the place where many people first settle when they move here, whether by U-Haul across the country or on a plane from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
But getting around the West End today isnt as easy as it should be, say local business owners. The West End BIA is advocating that Translink bring back a streetcar line or at least a public transportation loop that allows people to travel along all four of the main streets without having to transfer to another line.
How many communities have a beach as its front porch and Stanley Park in its back yard, asks Stephen Regan, the BIAs executive director. We want to make it really easy for locals and visitors to get around.
And while the BIA agrees with the citys plan to increase free bike-share opportunities, it has also come up with a few suggestions on how to mitigate the impact on the many bike rental businesses in the neighborhood. For instance, they prefer that bike-share not include Stanley Park, a prime source of rental bike business.
The overall goal is to create a sense of vibrancy and life on the streets.
One idea is to use decorative lighting to define the various streets, similar to whats already happening along Robson and Granville Streets. (Granville is not officially part of the BIA, which embraces English Bay to Coal Harbour and Stanley Park to Burrard.)
Lets make sure theres something interesting on the next block, and the the block after that, Regan says. We want something always happening on the ground floor.
The BIA welcomes higher density but with careful planning. In some cases you may needed to add height, but in select areas. Keep the scale lower [in general] but there may be pockets of higher density.
The present configuration of businesses along the streets works well since it allows independent restaurant and retail owners the chance to start small. Its these small businesses which give life to the busy neighborhoods.
While the West End is very walkable, there are times when you need to drive. Parking is an issue, especially on the side streets which some apartment dwellers use as a less expensive option than parking below ground in their buildings. The BIA would like rush-hour parking restrictions removed in some areas because they are needed as a way of enhancing traffic flow.
An easier process for permits for such things as patio extensions would also go a long way in helping small businesses.
These points are all included in the BIAs Streetscape and Design Guideline Vision, which will be the basis of discussions with the city about the neighborhoods future. For details go to WestEndBIA.com and Vancouver.ca/westendplan.
