The draft Vancouver Plan is the product of community consultation aimed at accommodating population growth to 960,000 residents by 2050, a vision that calls for 90 per cent of them to live in “complete neighbourhoods” with the amenities of life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.
And “what we’re talking about is larger systemic challenges” around commercial rents, taxation and transportation. The plan looks at the city’s transportation networks to identify key opportunities to expand the neighbourhood commercial hubs it envisions as necessary, particularly areas within a 10-minute walk of major transit stations.Article content
In the here and now, however, commercial districts around the city are suffering vacancies that are higher than would be considered healthy,In the broad swath of Strathcona on the city’s east side, retail vacancy has hit 27 per cent, while Hastings Crossing was 22 per cent.
The key, however, will be pairing commercial development with the population growth that will support vibrant businesses, said Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, who attended Tuesday’s briefing.
Is it election time again? Lol