Last night, Vancouver City Council voted in favour of tearing down the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. “This is a once-in-a-generation city-building opportunity,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson in a written statement.
The vote on Monday night meant staff will start detailed planning and land negotiations, and will report back to council in 18 months with an update. The plan to remove the viaducts includes an increase in downtown park space. It also includes two new city blocks that would be used for social and market housing. (Source: CBC Vancouver)
Before (Now)
After
In the Mayor’s statement he said: “There is no decision at the city that has been more scrutinized, studied, deliberated or consulted on than whether or not to remove the viaducts, and after four years, it is time to move forward.”
Vancouver Viaduct History
Vancouver has had viaducts in place, in that area, for close to 100 years. On July 1st, 1915, the first Georgia viaduct opened for streetcar use. It extended over the CPR’s Beatty Street yard and it was named the “Hart McHarg” bridge after a World War I hero. Apparently the viaduct was so poorly constructed that within a few years of it going up, chunks began to fall on, endangering pedestrians below.
1913 – Georgia viaduct under construction. Imagine Rogers Arena to the right, BC Place to the left.
Vancouver Archives item# CVA 99-1303. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1915 – Georgia Harris Street viaduct opening. Vancouver Archives item# PAN N100B. Photographer: W.J. Moore
1915 – Car on the Georgia Viaduct, Sun Tower in the background. Archives# CVA 99-18.
It wasn’t until 1963 that, under the leadership of Bill Rathie (the first mayor of Vancouver that was actually born in the city), a 20-year program was drawn up that would involve redevelopment, transportation solutions, low-cost housing, and a downtown revitalization. A new Georgia viaduct was thought up for cars to allow easier access to downtown.
But the replacement viaduct in the 1960’s and into the 1970’s was also part of a larger plan. There was a movement to build a freeway system right into and through downtown Vancouver. Can you imagine Highway 1 ploughing right through East Vancouver, Strathcona, and Chinatown? This was the grand idea and it was thought that the viaducts would nicely connect the freeway to the city’s centre.
Between 1971 & 1981 – Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts from the air. Vancouver Archives item# CVA 780-8.
Before the freeway plans were solid, buildings were being razed in anticipation. This included the Hogan’s Alley community, which was bulldozed to make room for the new Dunsmuir and Georgia viaducts. Buildings on the East side were reduced to rubble and wiped off the city map — and this is where residents stepped in. Strathcona community activists created much opposition to the grand plan and ended up saving their corner of the city.
Looking ahead, you can view the proposal for removal on the City of Vancouver’s website along with a series of information boards.
The 12th annual Diwali Fest will take place November 3rd to November 15th, bringing together people of all backgrounds to celebrate multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Two main festival sites will host events and two theatrical performances with take place on Vancouver stages.
Diwali Downtown Events
Event: Diwali Downtown, Vancouver
When: November 7th, 2015
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver
Diwali Downtown is one of the main events of the festival and a key attraction, drawing thousands of people from all demographics for a South Asian cultural extravaganza. Diwali Downtown is a free event that brings together the best of contemporary and classical Indian culture for the entire family. This year’s event will include over fifteen different music and dance performances, an Indian bazaar featuring South Asian crafts and cuisine, and a room-sized rangoli.
Event: Diwali Downtown, Surrey
When: November 14th, 2015
Where: Surrey City Hall, Surrey
Returning by popular demand and at the request of the City of Surrey, Diwali Fest is pleased to once again bring its landmark event, “Diwali Downtown”, to the Surrey audience. This is also a free and family-friendly event.
Diwali Workshops
When: Throughout the festival
Where: Various venues in Vancouver
These free workshops feature professional artists and facilitators who lead the group in rangoli design, diya lamp painting, Bollywood dancing, sari wrapping, and mehndi hand painting. This year’s festival will also include workshops on storytelling, poetry, yoga, and roundtable discussions on the history of Diwali.
Diwali Stories and Food
Event: Storytelling & Rangoli-Making
When: November 12th, 2015
Where: Richmond Cultural Centre, Richmond
Event: Diwali Cooking Demonstrations
When: November 3rd & November 15th, 2015
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver
Event: Diwali at the Library
When: November 4th, 2015
Where: Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver
Diwali on The Drive
In partnership with one of the leading presenters of Theatre in the City of Vancouver, The Cultch, Diwali Fest will incorporate South Asian-themed Theatre for a two-week run (November 3rd to November 14th) at The York Theatre as well as a dance presentation for a weekend at The Historic Theatre at The Cultch. The two productions are Nirbhaya and Sunya.
Show: Sunya
When November 10th to 14th, 2015 (Opening: November 10th) at 8:00pm
Where: Historic Theatre at The Cultch (1895 Venables Street, Vancouver)
Tickets Available at The Cultch’s Box Office, by phone at (604) 251-1363, or online from $20.
Sunya is a celebratory and spiritual journey merging contemporary dance, music of Persian inspiration, and interactive real time video. Guided by the Indo-Armenian dancer and choreographer, Roger Sinha, and Iranian-born gatherer of musical pearls, Kiya Tabassian, four dancers, three musicians, a sound designer, and a video artist break boundaries to create a truly unique artistic experience.
Show: Nirbhaya
When November 3rd to 14th, 2015 (Opening: November 3rd) at 8:00pm, 2:00pm matinée on November 8th
Where: York Theatre (639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver)
Tickets Available at The Cultch’s Box Office, by phone at (604) 251-1363, or online from $30.
Nirbhaya is a story based on real life experiences and the violent incident that shocked Delhi and the world. On December 16, 2012, a young woman boarded a bus in Delhi heading for home. What followed changed countless lives forever. Internationally acclaimed playwright and director, Yaël Farber (Mies Julie) has created a searing new work that cracks open the code of silence around women whose lives have been shattered by violence. For ages 16+. Contains adult themes and mature content.
Win Tickets to Diwali Fest Shows
I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night of Nirbhaya (at the York Theatre) as well as Sunya (at The Cultch). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming a Diwali Fest event or show you’d like to attend (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw two winners (one for each show) at 12:00pm on Monday, November 2, 2015. Follow Diwali Fest Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about the festival.
Update The winner for Nirbhaya is Jennifer and Sunya is Jason!
What better way to learn some local history, and get your blood pumping, than by taking an entertaining walking tour? If you’re looking for stories from yesteryear on a night time tour in some of the most historic places in the region, here are 3 suggestions:
Halloween Walking Tours in Metro Vancouver
Host: Ghostly Gastown Tours
Dates: Various dates until November 14th, and throughout Halloween weekend
Times: 7:30pm, rain or shine
Details: “Step back into Vancouver’s past to learn the haunted history of the Gastown area. On this 90 minute walking tour you will learn about a town renown for its wild west legacy of drinking, gambling, smuggling, and harsh justice in the form of hangings. Guides will share with you the stories of the infamous Gassy Jack, the Great Fire, Blood Alley And Gaoler’s Mews.”
Host: Forbidden Vancouver: Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Dates: Every night during Halloween season and through to November 14th
Times: 7:00pm and 8:00pm
Details: “Venture into our city’s earliest and most gruesome history this Halloween season. A time when Vancouver was the Granville Townsite, a violent frontier town of hustlers and thieves, vagabonds and bawdy girls.Meet Vancouver’s first madam, who built a glamorous Gastown bawdy house before the city even had a school. Catch the horror-filled tale of a long-forgotten plague that clutched the city in its feverish grasp. And relive the terror of the fire that ate up Gastown in minutes – sending people sprinting for their lives down Water Street.”
Host: Fort Langley National Historic Site Grave Tales
Dates: Through to October 30th at 7:00pm, 8:00pm or 9:00pm (three hour program). Family friendly tours until October 30th at 6:00pm.
Details: “Tales of love in the after-life, mysterious burials, and hair-raising amputations will chill visitors during Fort Langley National Historic Site’s annual Grave Tales Historic Walking Tours. Costumed interpreters will share tales of misfortune in Fort Langley’s cemeteries, streets, and inside the spooky 1850s fort. Learn about some long dead, but still lingering spirits, including Louisa Emptage who searches for her Hudson’s Bay Company-employed husband William at the Fort Langley cemetery. Maybe you’ll see the ghostly young boy who still wants to play in the Big House. Finish the tour with a hot drink around the bonfire.”
Looking for more unique Halloween fun this season? See these related posts: SkyTrain Halloween Party, Night for All Souls, Halloween Activities for Families at 3 Historic Sites, Stanley Park Ghost Train, 5 Adrenaline-Pumping Team Activities This Halloween.
Take a trip to the old city morgue and catch a film screening this season. The Vancouver Police Museum hosts Movies in the Morgue featuring family favourites, cult classics, and more all while surrounded by the ghosts and gadgets of Vancouver’s past.
Movies in the Morgue
Where: Vancouver Police Museum (240 E Cordova St, Vancouver)
When: Every second Tuesday of the month (except June, July, August)
Tickets: Available online or by calling the Vancouver Police Museum at 604-665-3346.
The next Movies in the Morgue event will be November 10th with a screening of Se7en starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey. The December 8th screening will be Home Alone, a holiday favourite for all ages. Each film is listed on the online calendar, heading into 2016.
Each movie starts at 7:00pm, with the doors opening at 6:30pm. Bookings can be made in advance (it is recommended) and you can purchase tickets for $10, and add on a drink and popcorn for $2.
The Vancouver Police Museum is open for visits, tours, and various walking tours of the neighbourhood throughout the year. They are currently offering their Sins of the City tour. Follow the museum on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
If you’re out celebrating this weekend the wise choice for getting around would be public transit and if you’re up for a party anyway, why not have it right on the SkyTrain? The Vancouver Public Spaces Network (“VPSN”) will host the annual Halloween SkyTrain Party for all ghosts and ghouls on October 31st.
SkyTrain Halloween Party
What: 10th Annual Halloween SkyTrain Party
When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 8:00pm.
Where: Meet on the train platform at Waterfront Station. The party will be leaving shortly after 8:00pm, so don’t be late.
Admission: Your price of admission is a $2.75 transit ticket, or your U-pass (kids, high school students and 65+ = $1.75). This event is all about celebrating transit, so please remember to buy a transit ticket.
TransLink passed on info to VPSN about safety at the event: Racing between trains at stops can be a real safety issue, so please try to respect that. The party will be making stops at every station between Waterfront and Richmond Brighouse and picking people up along the way who will probably have no idea what’s going on. They are all welcome to join in the fun so be courteous and pass along a fun attitude.
Once the party train returns to Waterfront Station, participants are invited to a covered public space one block south to continue the festivities (Seymour & Hastings Dome). If you need any more information follow VPSN on Twitter and Facebook.
