Granville Street, once the heart of Vancouver’s nightlife and retail scene, is now marked by boarded-up windows and ‘For Lease’ signs. The area’s commercial vacancy rate has climbed from 22 to 30 per cent in just a year, according to the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. “Along that corridor right now, we’re seeing some existing inventory that has been available for lease for upwards of a year,” said Neil McAllister, Senior VP at Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate. McAllister has a property listing for lease in the neighbourhood that’s been vacant for more than nine months. Some business owners have already spoken out, blaming crime and public disorder for causing costly damage. Karla Ahlqvist, who runs Wildlife Thrift Store, says her business was targeted several times last year. While she’s noticed an increased police presence lately, she says deeper systemic issues still haven’t been addressed. “It all boils down to mental health and addiction,” she said. “If people who need help can get help, that’s the answer.” Now, Vancouver city council is preparing to consider a bold plan to turn things around. The proposal includes a complete overhaul of the strip, with new hotels, commercial office space, restaurants, condominiums — and a fully pedestrianized Granville Street from the bridge to the waterfront. “The vision is to bring Granville Street back to a vibrant, safe, fun and exciting entertainment destination right in the heart of the city,” said Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung. Under the proposed plan, transit buses would be rerouted to neighbouring streets like Seymour and Howe — a move that has already drawn some pushback from transit advocates and councillors. “There are some concerns from transit users that moving the bus routes off Granville Street onto Seymour and Howe streets — which are of course really busy traffic streets — may result in worse experiences for people who use the bus,” said Coun. Lucy Maloney. The plan also calls for the removal of aging single-room-occupancy buildings from the district, including the Luugat, better known as the converted former Howard Johnson Hotel. City officials say those units would be replaced with better housing in different parts of the city. “The plan is also to replace those aging SROs, which are really inadequate housing,” said Kirby-Yung. “And provide opportunities for replacing them off-site.” Kirby-Yung added that provincial government cooperation is crucial for this to happen. If approved, the revitalization could unfold over the next 20 years, gradually reshaping one of the city’s most iconic, and currently troubled, streets. The proposed plan is set to be presented by city staff to Council on Wednesday morning.
