New changes are coming to Gastown

Good morning,

I’ve always thought Gastown is more than just the steam-producing clock. It’s a unique place in the city that should be embraced as a destination spot, even if it does host one of the city’s biggest tourist traps, The Spaghetti Factory (sorry Factory fans). That’s why seeing the big announcement today about the neighbourhood is a little exciting.

Here’s what on tap in today’s edition:

• The coroner’s inquest into Myles Gray has given a verdict ⚖️

• Big changes are coming to Gastown 🥳

• And why your electricity could be getting both more expensive and cheaper 🔌

Let’s go!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout writer

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WEATHER

Wednesday: 21 🌡️ 12 | ⛅

Thursday: 19 🌡️ 11 | 🌧

Friday: 12 🌡️ 8 | 🌧

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

16.5%: The decline in April home sales from a year ago, even as prices and sales are starting to rise. New listings continue to remain at historic lows. [Global News]

3%: The drop in container traffic last year at the Vancouver port as the economy began to slow down. [CityNews]

10 degrees: The difference in temperature expected this weekend compared to last weekend, with a high of around 12 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. [Daily Hive]

CITY HALL

Go-go Gastown

Gastown may look much different in the coming years if a new proposal to revitalize the area is passed by council.

The details: Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC council members announced yesterday that they plan to introduce a motion that would, among other things, improve pedestrian access in the neighbourhood by creating a car-free area pilot on Water St., making Cordova a two-way street and fix the brick roads, according to Urbanized.

• The motion will be introduced on May 9. Given ABC’s majority, the motion is likely to pass. OneCity councillor Christine Boyle said she will also support it.

If the plan were to go ahead, transit routes would need to be altered.

Background: The plan follows a commitment by Sim and the ABC team to make Vancouver a more fun city. According to Urbanized, the proposals come from the Gastown Business Improvement Society.

Yes, but: Part of the problem in Gastown is also the proximity to the East End. Issues such as homelessness and addiction aren’t going anywhere, and in fact may be more apparent in the neighbourhood with people displaced from encampments.

Reality check: This is a simple, smart and effective idea. As a major tourist area, creating a pedestrian-only area would greatly benefit the community.

• It’s not the first time the city has proposed this idea. Back in 2017, according to CBC, the city proposed making Gastown a “pedestrian priority area,” but it never went anywhere.

Zoom out: Council appears to be taking a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood approach to city-building. Programs like the Chinatown action plan, and the Granville Street Planning Program to rebuild the entertainment district, are a few examples.

ENERGY

Electricity rates could be set to change

Residents who are able to shift electricity usage to off-peak hours may be in for some savings in the coming years, according to proposed changes by BC Hydro.

What’s happening: The BC Utilities Commission is currently deciding whether to approve a BC Hydro application to institute time of use billing, which increases costs for people using electricity during peak times, from 4 pm-9 pm, according to Global.

Those who use electricity from 11 pm-7 am could save five cents per kilowatt hour, whereas those using it during peak times would be charged an additional five cents. Electricity used during 8 am-4 pm and 9 pm-11 pm would face no extra charges. Peak usage charges are already employed in places like Ontario

• Part of the change is focused on electric car drivers, to encourage them to charge their vehicles at night.

Timeline: According to Global, the review process will take a year to complete, so don’t expect any changes soon.

• BC Hydro already has additional charges for those who use energy beyond a certain threshold, according to CityNews.

Future challenges: The impact of climate change on water availability could lower the availability of energy, since BC Hydro relies on hydroelectric power, according to Vancouver is Awesome.

DREAM HOME

Is this the nicest, most affordable home in Vancouver? This one-bedroom in the East End is a spacious (for Vancouver) 620 square feet, with oak hardwood flooring and a large covered balcony. It’s got a welcoming and open layout, perfect for having friends over before visiting the beach.

While the place is cheap, it’s also a leasehold, which isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s a great opportunity for people looking to purchase their first home.

You’ll be surprised at how little it costs for this one-bedroom in Vancouver.

THE AGENDA

💊 A store will soon be opened to purchase drugs, but not the normal kind. A harm reduction advocate will soon be selling cocaine, MDMA and opiods from a physical location. The real test will be how long it remains open. [Urbanized]

🚔 A person has been charged with the stabbing of a man at a Vancouver nightclub in May 2022. The man subsequently died from his injuries. [Global News]

🗑 The beaches were full of sun, people and… garbage? Unfortunately, trash was everywhere after residents took advantage of the warm spell. The vice-chair of Vancouver’s Park Board promised action, including more garbage bins. But by mid-afternoon Sunday, most of it had been cleaned up by volunteers. [CBC]

🎥 Television is a huge industry in Vancouver, and the writer’s strike is expected to impact workers in B.C. if production delays mount and continue into the summer. [CBC]

🏢 The B.C. government announced changes to the 55+ strata bylaws to prevent buildings from kicking out families who are having children. [B.C. Government]

POLICE

Myles Gray death called homicide by a B.C. coroner’s inquest

After two weeks of testimony, the coroner's inquest into the death of Myles Gray, after his arrest by police in 2015, concluded his death was a homicide, according to Global.

• The jury was asked to determine whether the death was natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined.

The verdict: While the jury said the death was a homicide, it does not place blame on any one person, nor were they even allowed. Homicide in the context of the inquest meant “a death due to injury intentionally inflicted by another person” according to the Vancouver Sun. It does not mean criminal charges will be filed, either. The verdict was not unanimous with one person dissenting.

• What the police claimed: Since Gray’s death, police had claimed he died from natural causes, which was not the case according to expert testimony.

Recommendations: The jury made three recommendations:

• Move up the timeline for adoption of body cameras on officers;

• Enhance police officer crisis de-escalation and containment training;

• And review policies on disposal of toxicology samples, since they are usually destroyed after six months.

What comes next: The Vancouver police superintendent says a pilot project will be launched this fall to test body cameras for nine months.

The lawyer for the family believes the BC Prosecution Service should look at the evidence around potential charges against police officers, given there was new information presented at the inquest, according to the Vancouver Sun.

ARTS

Theatre

Children’s Theatre of Richmond Association is running The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, based on the movie, from May 18-23 at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre. [Miss604]

The rEvolver Festival from Upintheair Theatre is back with emerging artists performing live theatre, from May 24 to June 4 at The Clutch. [Stir]

Music

Ed Sheeran fan? He’s coming to Vancouver as part of his “- Tour” for an intimate performance and can be purchased starting April 28 for the performance on September 1 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. [Vancouver is Awesome]

The Kanneh-Mason family, seven siblings who perform a range of instruments, will be visiting Vancouver for a one-night performance at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday at 8 pm.

Movies

Every Thursday this summer come by the Šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) for outdoor movies. Films start on July 6 at 5 pm, and the list of movies will be announced later. [Vancouver is Awesome

Art

The B.C. government announced $34.5 million for the province’s arts and culture community. Of that, $30 million will be distributed to 337 arts organizations, as the industry recovers from COVID. [Stir]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• City crews have begun installing temporary drinking fountains around town. [Twitter]

• A TikTok user has an insightful video to understand why planting new trees won’t create a similar ecosystem that exists with old-growth forests. [TikTok]

• A blind man hopes to swim 30km to benefit the Canadian Guide Dogs. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Reddit users shared an outpouring of support and advice for a grad student who only had $9 to eat for a week. [Reddit]

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Judging by social media, everyone was glued to the sky this week. Here’s a shot from Reddit user conradolson who captured this photo of the night sky.

GAME TIME

Usually this beach is full of people in, ahem, slightly less clothing. Can you guess which beach this is?

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