Water Street Pedestrian Zone opens ahead of busy long weekend

June 28 2024 -

Just in time for the long weekend, the City is thrilled to announce the early "soft launch" of the Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot, starting today, Friday June 28.

"The Water Street Pedestrian Zone is now open, and Gastown is ready to shine as a patio, community and business hot spot," says Mayor Ken Sim. "I'd like to personally invite everyone to walk, bike or roll down to Gastown to shop, eat and take in everything this iconic and pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood has to offer."

The pedestrian zone (see map here PDF file (1.2 MB)) includes car-free and car-light blocks along Water Street and Maple Tree Square, offering visitors a safe and comfortable place to enjoy summer festivities in the heart of Gastown.

With colourful furniture, planters, expanded patios and merchandise displays, storytelling and art installations courtesy of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations speckled throughout, the pedestrian zone is a vibrant and welcoming space for everyone.

"To help bring the pedestrian zone to life, we're inviting local creatives, residents, businesses and community organizations to host free small-scale events and community oriented activities through our "Open Streets Permit"," says Lisa Parker, City of Vancouver Director of Public Space and Street Use. "This permit is available at no cost and is part of our initiative to support a vibrant community experience and reimagine how our streets can become lively spaces for everyone."

Examples of events supported through the Open Streets Permit includes:

• Community games (for example board games, chess, mah-jong, and more)
• Educational activities and events
• Storytelling or cultural sharing
• Live music or arts performances
• Community pop-up events

Click here to learn more and apply for an Open Streets Permit.

To ensure Gastown is safe, vibrant and welcoming for everyone throughout the Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot an enhanced sanitation and stewardship plan is now in place, with additional daytime litter pick up, sidewalk and micro-cleaning. We've also developed a holistic approach to community safety, including daily peer ambassador support and nighttime and gender safety initiatives to help people feel secure at any time of day or evening.

Throughout the pilot, staff will closely observe the pedestrian zone, gathering feedback from residents, businesses, visitors, and tourists to inform future planning and adjustments. An online survey and in-person pop-up events will launch in mid-July.

Getting to Gastown and the Water Street Pedestrian Zone

Locals, visitors and cruise ship passengers are encouraged to pop by the Destination Vancouver kiosk at the corner of Water Street and Cordova Street to discover everything Gastown has to offer.

• Transportation: Walk, bike, roll, Mobi or take transit whenever possible. Check out our transit and cycling map PDF file (2.2 MB) to find the best routes and visit translink.ca/alerts External website, opens in new tab for more information.
• Public Bike Share: Additional Mobi by Rogers public bike share stations are being added to the area, see all locations here External website, opens in new tab.
• Free Bike Valet: Safely park your bikes, skates, scooters or strollers for free at the Bike Valet External website, opens in new tab, located at 131 Water Street
• Free Transit Pass: Courtesy of the Gastown Business Improvement Society External website, opens in new tab
• Parking: If you're driving to Gastown, there is plenty of parking available including 280 on-street parking spots and 2,800 off-street parkade options. Check out our parking map PDF file (2.2 MB) to learn where to park.
  • Take advantage of free parking (3 hours, once per week) at the EasyPark 151 Cordova St Parkade courtesy of the Gastown Business Improvement Society External website, opens in new tab.
  • Plan ahead, follow all detours PDF file (2.2 MB) and obey "No Parking" signs in the area.

Background

In spring 2023, Council directed staff to develop a Public Spaces Plan to guide investments and planning for the future of public spaces in Gastown, including exploring pedestrianizing Water Street, seasonally or year-round.

Earlier this month, the City completed interim repairs to Maple Tree Square, where damaged brick pavers and asphalt patches in the roadway were removed and replaced with new brick pavers to make the street safer and easier to use.

The City has budgeted $1.2 million for the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot, which includes traffic management and transportation changes, furniture and planters, community programming supports, sanitation and stewardship support. observations and data collection.

For more information on all Gastown related projects, visit vancouver.ca/gastown.

Media availability and note to editors

• Lisa Parker, Director of Public Space and Street Use, will be available for interviews from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. To book an interview, please contact [email protected].
• A media event, to mark the official launch of the Water Street Pedestrian Zone, will be held Thursday July 4, 2024. Further details to be provided next week.