Mayor Gregor Robertson’s wish to have the city take control of Granville Island from the federal government was met with opposition Tuesday from council’s two NPA city councillors and the Green Party’s lone voice at city hall.
The federal government has indicated it will give control of the popular tourist property under the south end of the Granville Bridge to Port Metro Vancouver from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the current manager of the island.
Robertson argued that while Port Metro Vancouver does “a capable job” of managing port activities, “it’s a different business from what takes place at Granville Island.”
“I don’t think the decision should be made in Ottawa,” Robertson told reporters after his motion was approved 8-3 by council. “We need to have local people at the table and we need to explore what the options are — whether it’s a lease, or purchase or management agreement.”
Robertson said Granville Island is at a point where it needs investment and revitalization. City staff’s research will provide a cost-benefit analysis of the expenses, said
Robertson, noting he wants to see the financial implications before taking any action.
Though Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation manages the island, the nine-member Granville Island Trust works as an advisory panel to the island. It includes representation from the island, local residents and the city. It’s unclear whether the Trust will continue to operate under Port Metro Vancouver.
NPA Coun. Elizabeth Ball said she was worried taxpayers could take on more debt, if the city were in some capacity to take control of the island.
She praised previous and current management staff at the island for the property’s success, which has been financially self-sustaining since 1983.
“A motion to actually buy the property and for Vancouver to own it would mean that our citizens would be responsible for the expenses on the island,” she told council. “I do think that rents would go up and I think that could be critically difficult for the island.”
NPA Coun. George Affleck said for the city to become involved in managing, leasing or owning Granville Island would likely be cost prohibitive.
Affleck noted the need for soil remediation on the property, addressing building code questions and upgrading the streetscape as huge costs for the city.
“It might cost billions of dollars for us to take care of this island,” he said, agreeing with Ball the tax base to pay for costs at the island should continue to be spread across Canada, not just Vancouver.
Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr said she first wanted a cost-benefit analysis of the city having a role in the future of the island — a request Vision Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie described as “an odd bit of logic,” considering that is what the mayor’s motion intended to do.
Earlier this month, Port Metro Vancouver CEO and president Robin Silvester issued a statement acknowledging “exploratory discussions are underway on the possibility of transferring the administration and management of Granville Island from CMHC to Port Metro Vancouver.” No timeline was given when such a turnover could occur.
Added Silvester: “It is too soon to speculate on the outcome of these discussions.”
Port Metro Vancouver owns and operates Canada Place, which has hosted Canada Day events and is home to a cruise terminal that welcomes about 800,000 visitors per year.
Between 1973 and 1982, the federal government invested $24.7 million in Granville Island. The island is home to 275 businesses and facilities which employ more than 2,500 people and generates in excess of $130 million a year in economic activity, according to Granville Island’s website.
