Thanks to Kenneth Chan in the DailyHive for this on a new addition to Vancouver’s people space (or series of additions, depending on how the numbers turn out). DVBIA’s media release HERE.
Several Downtown Vancouver laneways are set to be reimagined in a pilot project that will beautify a number of gritty, under-utilized spaces, effectively turning the areas into vibrant pedestrian-friendly zones.
The first laneway to be revitalized is the city block-long laneway south of West Hastings Street between Granville and Seymour streets. . .
. . . As the first of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association’s (DVBIA) ‘More Awesome Now’ laneway program, in partnership with the City of Vancouver and local firm HCMA Architecture + Design, this laneway has been painted in bright pink and yellow colours and will soon also boast basketball hoops and furniture. Additionally, decorative lighting and a geolocation orb will be installed over the coming weeks.
According to DowntownVancouver.net:
Where’d this idea come from?
Last year, 11,000 Vancouverites weighed in on the Downtown Vancouver BIA’s Re-Imagine process. They helped create a vision for downtown for the next 25 years. Refresh your memory.
One of the ideas that come up again and again – activate, decorate, commercialize, clean up/brighten up our laneways please! So, we are. . .
. . official unveiling on Thursday, September 15 from 5-10pm. Hastings West lane between Seymour and Granville Streets behind the Birks Building.
When I lived in Lake Louise and went to Banff, I would use the laneways to navigate through town to avoid the crowded streets and would often run into people I knew, as many did the same thing. I sometime use laneways to get around some areas of Vancouver. Some of the ones in Vancouver have great potential.