800-Block Robson St. & Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza: Public Consultations Oct.15 & 17, 2012

This video presents “Ziptrek – Robson Square, Vancouver”:

Every block in downtown Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) has an associated number.

The block bounded by Robson Street, Howe Street, Hornby Street and Georgia Street is known as Block 51:

Block 51, the 800-block Robson Street (between Hornby and Howe) and the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza, “have long been the centre for Vancouverites to socialize, and display civil democracy and creative expression”

The following two important consultations are taking place on this Block 51:

800-block Robson Street (between Hornby and Howe)
- Based on the success of the seasonal transformation of 800-block Robson into a pedestrian plaza, City Council has decided to close this block to vehicle traffic until the end of 2012
- They have asked City staff to investigate the public’s interest in using the space as a permanent pedestrian plaza (promoting healthy walking which is easier than ziplining over Robson Street for most people)

the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza
- The North Plaza of the Art Gallery is also undergoing redevelopment to fix the waterproofing of the underground spaces of the art gallery under the plaza

These two timely initiatives are now driving the City’s interest in finding out how the public uses these spaces:

While the projects are separate, the City is combining its investigation of their uses into one public dialogue starting mid-October

City staff is investigating:
- The public’s level of support for permanent closure of the 800-block Robson Street
- The public’s current and desired use of the 800-block Robson Street and the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza

We Want to Hear From You!

15 October 2012 – A Look Back
- To look back on the site, to set the context as we move forward
- The night will feature a screening of the 1973 NFB Film “Chairs for Lovers” which documents Stanley King’s consultation process where youth brought forward ideas to turn a downtown parking lot into a destination.
- This will be followed by a panel conversation with some of the original designers of Robson Square:
  - Hear from Bing Thom, Alan Bell, Nick Milkovich and others about Arthur Erickson’s original vision for Block 51 and how that may inform the future of this area
- This event will be hosted by CBC Radio 1’s Shiral Tobin

17 October 2012 – A Look Forward
- Join us for the second of two public events to explore the importance of this block over the last couple of years and draw inspiration from other cities
- This event will feature short presentations on:
  - How this area was the central hub for the 2010 Winter Games celebrations
  - What Viva Vancouver has learned as they transformed 800 Robson into a pedestrian space over the last few summers
  - How the overwhelming majority of entries to the Vancouver’s Public Space Network’s “Where’s the Square?” design competition selected this area as the heart of Vancouver
  - Pop Rocks designers Matthew Soules, Joe Dahmen, and Amber Frid Jimenez will share their experiences working with 800 Robson and provide some thoughts for the future
  - Matthew Blackett from Spacing Magazine will give an overview of innovative public spaces from other cities to be used as inspiration
  - And other speakers to be announced

Both events (Oct. 15 & 17) will end with an illustrated brainstorming exercise, facilitated by Stanley King, to collect ideas on what type of future uses are desired for 800 Robson and the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza
- These images will form the basis of a survey to follow the events
- Results will be included in the staff report to Council on 800 Robson and will be given to the designer for the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza

Please note that the future of the Vancouver Art Gallery will not be a part of the discussion at both events

Also, both events are:
- FREE but as space is limited please RSVP
- presented in partnership with Spacing Magazine and the Art Gallery of Vancouver

City of Vancouver will also post an online survey to gather your feedback following these events:

Phone 3-1-1 to ask, tell, and connect with the City

Outside Vancouver: 604-873-7000

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