Another update from the Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition:

From: Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition [info@gastowncoalition.ca]
Sent: 6/30/2006 3:47PM

Dear Neighbours,

Last night, Council resumed its special meeting on the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. The Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition was represented by spokesperson Jon Stovell, who addressed problems including the stadium’s overbearing size and structure, its impact on nearby heritage buildings and residents overwhelming opposition to the project.

On behalf of the Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition, Stovell presented council with the following position and recommendations:

The Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition does not support the Whitecaps Stadium in this location, in that it is an inappropriate use and form for the Waterfront and for Gastown.

The Gastown Neighbourhood Coalition makes the following Recommendations:

(1) that Council decline the stadium proposal;

(2) that Council direct staff and the Whitecaps, on an expedited basis, to consider alternative Stadium Locations, such as the False Creek Flats, Hastings Park, BC Place Stadium, or elsewhere in the City.

(3) that Council pursues the development of a Waterfront Vision and agrees to broaden the Hub Study scope to include the Vancouver Portlands to the north of the railway tracks, and to consider as part of this expanded study the possibility of relocating the railway tracks.

(4) That, the Council implement a “build no podium” restriction on the rail lands from Canada Place east to Main Street.

Other highlights included a joint presentation by Paul Ardagh, president of the Gastown Business Improvement Society and urban planner Lance Berelowitz. Together they presented 3 alternative visions for the Central Waterfront.

You can view the entire meeting online at LINK
Council to hear more speakers July 4thFifty people still remain on the speakers list and Council has scheduled a third meeting to accommodate them. Details for the next meeting are as follows:

What: Special Council Meeting the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium – Round 3
When: Tuesday, July 4th
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: City Hall (Corner of 12th and Cambie)
Council Chambers – 3rd Floor

At this time, we would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has dedicated time and effort to this project. We truly appreciate your support.

Regards,

Jon Stovell, Reliance Holdings
Niels Bendtsen, Inform Interiors
Scott Hawthorn, Blood Alley Holdings Inc.
Harvey Reehal, Modern Kid
Sukhdev Swami, Michelle’s Import Plus