Granville Island 2040 Team Seeking Public Input

VANCOUVER, September 19, 2016 – The public process to generate input on the Granville Island 2040 Plan was launched today by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

On Saturday, October 1st, 2016, from 11 am – 6 pm, the public is invited to Triangle Square (between A Bread Affair and the Net Loft) on Granville Island for a Big Ideas Fair, a series of fun, family-friendly activities to gather ideas about what people like best about Granville Island today and what they think the priorities should be for the future. HCMA Architecture + Design, the lead land use and planning consultant, will offer short presentations on Granville Island 2040 at 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm, and will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions about the process and principles guiding the project.

Information about the public consultation process will be distributed to neighbourhoods surrounding Granville Island. People will be encouraged to post their answers to the question, “What do you want to see on Granville Island next?” on popular social media sites, sign up for e-newsletters reporting on the plan’s progress, and participate in a public survey. Throughout October, visitors will be encouraged to map, draw, and write their ideas on giant chalkboards placed around the island.

These opportunities build upon workshops and discussions that have taken place over the past several months with a wide range of stakeholders, including Granville Island tenants and community, members of the arts and culture industry, and transportation experts. “Hearing the opinions, ideas and perceptions of our valued visitors to Granville Island is an extremely important aspect of this phase of the project,” said Minister Duclos.

In early December, a “Draft Directions” plan for the public to review and comment on will be presented at the second Open House, and in early 2017, the final plan will be publicly released.

The Granville Island 2040 plan, which will set out the future of Granville Island for the next 25 years, will make recommendations for the redevelopment of the Emily Carr University buildings, revitalization of the popular Public Market, and the advancement of the arts and cultural industry on the island. It will also examine the best governance structure for the continued long-term success of Granville Island.

It has been forty years since Granville Island was redeveloped from a derelict brownfield to a popular urban park and cultural hub for Vancouver.

For more information about the public consultation process, or to submit your views on the future of Granville Island, please visit granvilleisland2040.ca.

 

BACKGROUNDER

The “Granville Island 2040” plan to articulate the future of Granville Island for the next 25 years is underway by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) with guidance from Vancouver community leaders. The Plan will set out development plans for the Emily Carr University buildings, potential revitalization of the popular Public Market, and the advancement of the arts and cultural industry on the island.

Dr. Michael Stevenson, President Emeritus and Vice-Chancellor of Simon Fraser University, is leading the project on behalf of CMHC. A member advisory board including representatives from Granville Island and the Granville Island Trust has been formed to help guide the process and decisions of this plan. The plan will also examine the best governance structure for the continued long-term success of Granville Island.

The Granville Island 2040 Plan will ensure the continued success and sustainability of the Island as a year-round cultural, recreational, and educational centre.

There will be community consultation from the beginning of the Plan’s development through to its final draft. It is anticipated that the Plan will be completed by early 2017.