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Bute Street closed at Robson to make way for pedestrian plaza

A new “temporary” public plaza on Bute Street at Robson is being modelled after a similar space in the West End.

A new “temporary” public plaza on Bute Street at Robson is being modelled after a similar space in the West End.

And while a press release from the City of Vancouver says the trial will be used to “measure traffic impacts, test different uses and configurations, and conduct public engagement that will inform future work on a potential permanent plaza,” nowhere does it mention road closures.

Photographs show Bute Street is closed from Robson Street south to the alley where it opens again for half a block, but then closes again at the Bute Street pedestrian walkway.

The plaza, which opened in time for Canada Day, July 1, will remain in place until Oct. 16, at which time a decision will be made regarding its future.

The new plaza on Bute at Robson Street. photo Jennifer Gauthier
photo Jennifer Gauthier

 

“We have heard community interest in a new public space at this site and are working with local partners to launch the plaza at Bute and Robson as a three-month pilot,” Margaret Wittgens, the city’s director of public space and street use, said in the release. “This plaza will build on the success of Jim Deva Plaza and is among a number of public space initiatives launching this summer.”

However, unlike the space at the corner of Bute and Robson streets, the Jim Deva Plaza was built on a tiny dead-end block of Bute Street off Davie. Design features of the Bute/Robson space include fixed and moveable seating and tables, a piano, planters and other elements created to make the space “comfortable and inviting.” According the city, the space is intended to be a place where people can sit and socialize, play and hold small events. The trial is collaboration between the city and the Robson Business Improvement Association.

“We are thrilled to see the launch of the Bute Robson plaza,” says Teri Smith, executive director of the Robson Business Improvement Association. “Following the implementation of the West End Plan, the Robson Street BIA created a public realm vision for the area, including what a pedestrian plaza could look like. We are excited to see the ideations and sketches come to fruition and we look forward to seeing people interact and gather in the space.”

This location was first identified in the City’s Transportation 2040 and West End plans as a potential future public space.

sthomas@vancourier.com

@sthomas10