Part of Gastown is going car free this summer, following the direction of City Council to turn Water Street into a pedestrian zone for a pilot project throughout July and August.
Gastown Pedestrian Zone Pilot
During the pedestrian zone pilot, sections of Water Street will be closed to vehicles to allow for public seating, community activations, expanded patios, merchandise displays, art installations, special events and active transportation.
In preparation, City staff will continue to work closely with area residents and businesses to support their access needs and reduce impacts. Throughout the pilot, local access points for vehicles will be maintained at designated sections along Water Street.
To ensure businesses can easily and creatively use the additional street space, the City is offering flexible design options and simplified permitting processes for expanded patios, merchandise displays and other potential business uses.
Where Will This Be
During the Pedestrian Zone Pilot, sections of Water Street and Maple Tree Square will be closed to vehicles to allow visitors a safe and enjoyable environment to soak up the neighbourhood, take in performances, shop, people watch and dine in the heart of Gastown.
In designated “Car-Free” blocks, vehicle access will be restricted. However, local access will be maintained on all “Car-Light” blocks to provide access to the area for deliveries, visitors, and customers.
Upcoming Repairs & Traffic Changes
In advance of the pilot, this spring the City will be making urgent repairs to Maple Tree Square from March until June, 2024. Maple Tree Square will be closed to vehicles during repairs, resulting in traffic changes and impacts throughout Gastown. More information on the upcoming repairs and associated traffic changes will be shared in the coming weeks through a technical briefing. Previous repairs to the 1970s-era cobblestone took place in 2012.
Gastown Public Spaces Plan
The Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot is the first initiative to come out of the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, which is exploring the future of public spaces in Gastown.
Establish a vibrant, people-focused Gastown with enhanced gathering places, streets, and laneways to support a range of activities.
Pedestrianize Water Street seasonally or year-round, starting with a pilot in summer 2024.
Improve the street network to support a pedestrianized Water St, including walking, cycling, transit, and vehicle connections and consideration of Cordova as a 2-way street.
Advance Reconciliation with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and support their visibility on their lands.
Evolve and deepen the unique heritage feel of the area, including improved street materials and amenities.
Identify phased project timing and funding.
Feedback from the pilot, and future public engagement on the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, will inform a long-term vision for pedestrianizing Water Street. Staff will report back to Council in fall 2024 on the pilot outcomes.
Update May 10, 2024: This week, Council voted to waive fees for the new and expanded patios and merchandise displays participating in the pedestrian zone pilot and contribute $20,000 towards restarting the Gastown Business Improvement Society’s parking initiative, which will offer visitors three hours of free parking once a week during the pilot.
The FVDED in the Park lineup, for the event’s 9th and biggest edition, has just been announced! Blueprint Events and Live Nation Canada announced the return of one of western Canada’s largest in-city music festival July 5-6, 2024 at Surrey’s Holland Park. The two-day event will bring non-stop energy to music fans with all-star lineup of dance and electronic acts.
Tickets: General Admission, GA+ and VIP tickets will go on sale beginning February 14, 2024 at 11:00am. Sign up for pre-sale access here. Layaway plans are available for General Admission and VIP.
FVDED is bringing some of EDM’s biggest names to Metro Vancouver, curating its most exciting lineup to date. Swedish House Mafia, Kx5 (Kaskade & deadmau5), Diplo, John Summit and Dom Dolla will headline this year’s festival, and will be joined by Chris Lake, Nora En Pure, Chase & Status, and many more.
Swedish House Mafia Kx5 (Kaskade & deadmau5) Diplo John Summit Dom Dolla Gryffin Chris Lake Slander Gorgon City ISOXO Dr. Fresch Elderbrook Nora En Pure
Kream Joy Anonymous Qrion its murph Yung Singh ALUNA Christine Yurie Ahahadream Seb C Chase & Status Deathpact
FVDED in the Park is going into its 9th and biggest year, bringing in some of the industry’s top talent. Put on by Blueprint Events and Live Nation Canada, it is one of Western Canada’s biggest musical festivals.
DanceHouse and Dancers of Damelahamid present the Vancouver premiere of the politically-charged and spiritually-centred work, Vástádus eana – The answer is land. Choreographed by Elle Sofe Sara, the full-length work is a powerful exploration and reclamation of the central tenets of Sámi cultural identity: community and kinship between people and nature. Enter to win tickets below »
Vástádus eana – The answer is land, Photo credit Knut Aaserud
Vástádus eana – The Answer is Land
Dates: February 23-24, 2024 at 8:00pm
Location: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Having been subjected to almost-total cultural obliteration through residential schools, language suppression, and religious conversion, Vástádus eana – The answer is land embodies a critically important message about the foundational attachment arising from community and culture, and offers a return to dignity, healing, and ultimately the possibility of a new relationship with the natural world for the Sámi people.
“For Indigenous communities from around the world, artistic practices such as storytelling, singing, and dancing are an integral part of the celebration and preservation of a people’s cultural identity and overall well-being,” says Margaret Grenier, Artistic Director of Dancers of Damelahamid. “Sharing these practices offers a deep sense of healing and reclamation over their spiritual practices, and offers the opportunity to rebuild community and connection to the natural world.”
Taking inspiration from a poem that foregrounds the relationship between the Sámi people and their homeland, Sofe Sara’s choreography – at once both playful and bold – speaks to the strength and resilience of the Sámi people, as well as the community’s generational trauma caused by hundreds of years of colonialism and forced assimilation. Sámi people are Indigenous to Sápmi, the traditional territory that spans the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, including modern day Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia.
Enter to Win
You can enter to win a pair of tickets to the Vancouver premiere on February 23rd, here’s how:
Monsters of the Abyss is opening at the Vancouver Aquarium on February 9th. This is an all-new interactive exhibit that highlights the past and present of aquatic animals through interactive displays, live exhibits, and supersized skeletons such as megalodon and Spinosaurus.
Monsters of the Abyss at the Vancouver Aquarium
Sink your teeth into history as you learn about extinction-level events and discover why these creatures were so universally feared. Come face-to-face with some of the “monsters” still roaming today’s oceans, rivers, and lakes in new, extraordinary live habitats, and dare to get up close during daily expert-led Animal Talks. Until September 2nd, guests will have a daily opportunity to get up close with some of the animals in this exhibit.
“Monsters of the Abyss is a chance to explore and learn about aquatic predators. This exhibit unpacks these little-known species and their unique histories,” said Vancouver Aquarium Executive Director Clint Wright.
Family Day Deal
From February 9-19, 2024 only, get one free child ticket with regular general admission or bring a friend free if you become a member. Spend Family Day under the sea and be amongst the first to explore this all-new interactive exhibit.
The evolution of Oakridge, Canada’s largest redevelopment endeavour, is getting closer to completion as Oakridge Park announces some of the leading global brands, including flagship and boutique stores, scheduled to open in Spring 2025.
Photo submitted by Oakridge Park
Oakridge Park Announces Flagships and Global Brands
Redefining the city’s retail landscape, the inaugural brands that will be part of this world-class destination are Louis Vuitton, Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler, Versace and Max Mara. Upon completion, Oakridge Park will offer a curated selection of 100+ premium global brands across apparel, beauty, jewelry, watches, home décor, as well as lifestyle and wellness, alongside exceptional culinary experiences.
The first stand-alone luxury fashion boutiques in Vancouver to be announced at Oakridge Park include Maison Margiela, Miu Miu, Christian Louboutin and Alexander Wang, with more retail announcements to follow in 2024. These vanguards of style will anchor the top-tier retail experience totaling 650,000 square feet.
A much-anticipated Time Out Market, the second for Canada, will create a new culinary destination, offering some of the best cuisine from across the globe. The design of the food and cultural market, known for its unique blend of culinary excellence and cultural experiences, will be inspired by the great traditional food halls of Europe and the more contemporary ones in Asia.
Oakridge Park’s first phase is anticipated to open in Spring 2025, welcoming thousands of residents to their new home in four residential towers. Envisioned as a cultural destination and gathering place, the development will have a nine-acre park, the largest library on Vancouver’s West Side, multiple indoor and outdoor performance venues, a flagship academy for the world-renowned Goh Ballet and more.
Oakridge Park began in 2017, transforming what was formerly known as Oakridge Centre into a new five-million-square-foot town centre. Open for 70 years, the venue, was celebrated as Vancouver’s “most stylish shopping destination” and consistently ranked among the top two shopping centres, in terms of sales per square foot, in Canada.
Lunar New Year Celebration
In addition to the retail announcement, Oakridge Park is inviting the community to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Oakridge Park Lunar New Year Celebration at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Now in its sixth year, the festivities are happening until February 25, 2024 with daily programming from 11:00am to 6:00pm. This will include family-focused activities such as children’s ballet classes in collaboration with the award-winning Goh Ballet Academy, Lunar New Year family portraits, floral arrangement workshops, live musical performances and more. Visit the Lobby Lounge for a special Lunar New Year dim sum menu, in collaboration with Mott 32.
