davie village public space improvements - vancouver · 2019-11-13 · background . in june 2015,...

Davie Village

Public Space Improvements

Phase 3: May/June 2015

Refined Design Concept

Questionnaire Summary

Background In June 2015, City of Vancouver staff, with design consultant PFS Studio, hosted two public open houses and attended a Pop-up City Hall event and the West End Strawberry Festival to share refined design concepts for public space improvements in Davie Village. We invited the public to review a refined concept for an inviting, dynamic permanent plaza at Davie and Bute Streets, a new mid-block crossing in the Davie Village between Bute and Thurlow, and other associated improvements. Feedback was received through conversations with staff, as well as a hard-copy and online questionnaire. The open houses were very well attended again with over 1500 people attending our 4 outreach events. In addition, a total of 236 online and hard-copy and online questionnaires were received. The responses are summarized in the following document.

Bus Stop Location

Description:

Bus Stop Relocation Options:

• Option A: Shift Eastbound bus stop to west of Bute St and eliminate the bus stop at Jervis St. This is a less congested passenger loading area and would be closer to the plaza.

• Option B: Shift Eastbound bus stop to the east, which would require removal of some on-street parking east of Bute St and would locate the bus stop at a more congested section of the sidewalk.

Question:

1. User preference is one consideration in locating the bus stop. Please indicate your preference for the bus stop location on the south side of Davie Street at Bute Street:

⃝ Option A (west of Bute)

⃝ Option B (east of Bute)

⃝ No preference ⃝ Unsure / don’t know

Results

• Option A was preferred, but over a third of respondents had no preference

32.6%

16.5%

33.9%

7.2%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

Option A(west of Bute)

Option B(east of Bute)

No preference Unsure/don’t know

Traffic Circulation and Access

Proposed Plan:

Description:

The closure of the half block of Bute Street south of Davie Street on a permanent basis and the potential for temporary special events on the half block north of Davie have implications for the road network, bus stops, and cycling connections. The closure on the south side was tested with the 2013-2014 pilot project. Bunt & Associates Transportation Consultants have reviewed the street network from Burrard to Broughton Streets to assess potential impacts and to make recommendations for changes, taking the pilot project experience and City information into account. The recommended changes are noted with reference to the aerial photograph above.

Question:

2. Please indicate your overall opinion of the proposed changes to circulation and access for vehicular traffic:

⃝ Really like it

⃝ Like it ⃝ Neutral ⃝ Don’t like it

⃝ Really don’t like it

⃝ Unsure/ don’t know

Results:

• 54% supported the traffic circulation and access plans shown

18.6%

35.2%

14.4%

8.5% 8.5% 7.6%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

Really like it Like it Neutral Don’t like it Really don’t like it

Unsure/ don’t know

Bute Street, North of Davie Street

Proposed Plan:

Question:

3. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for Bute Street north of Davie St:

⃝ Really like it ⃝ Like it ⃝ Neutral ⃝ Don’t like it ⃝ Really don’t like it

Results:

• 64% supported the revised concept plan shown for Bute Street, north of Davie Street

22.5%

41.5%

14.4% 10.2%

3.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%


Bute Street, South of the Plaza to Burnaby Street

Proposed Plan:

Questions:

4. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for Bute Street south of the plaza to Burnaby St:


Results:

• 64% supported the revised concept plan shown for Bute Street, south of the plaza to Burnaby St

31.4% 33.1%

14.0%

8.5% 5.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%


Mid-block Crossing

Proposed Plan:

Description:

Street improvements are also targeted for the mid-block crossing on Davie Street half a block east of Bute Street. Its design is related to the concept developed for Bute Street, adapting similar materials and colours. A section of on-street parking will be replaced by pedestrian bulges into the streetscape to achieve shorter crossing distances and make space for landscaping and seating.

Question:

5. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for the mid-block pedestrian crossing:


Results:

• 67% supported the design shown for the mid-block crossing • The most common response (42%) was that respondents “really like” the concept

41.9%

24.6%

11.9% 8.1% 6.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%


Refined Plaza Concept

Plan View:

Description

The revised plaza design concept features a mix of seating elements including backs and armrests, low tables, and larger seating platforms playfully arranged to create seating alcoves and islands along the plaza. Moveable tables and chairs allow the free arrangement of seating for informal use and plaza events, and are stored conveniently adjacent to the plaza. All large existing trees have been preserved, surrounded with mass plantings and seating, and have coloured uplighting for nighttime interest. New legacy trees are incorporated to enhance the West End character. A consistent flush paving treatment unifies the entire plaza from building face to building face, upon which all elements of the plaza are embedded and cafes can spill out. Raised intersections at both north and south lanes create improved pedestrian and bicycle connections to the neighbourhood. Low mountable curbs in north block are proposed to better accommodate special events.

Suspended cable lighting creates a ceiling of lights for a comfortable ambient glow and are supplemented by additional projector lights to allow versatility for special events. Power outlets and water connections are also provided for special events to support programming. The plaza bulges into the south lane of Davie Street to integrate stronger with the social spaces of the Village. A special overhead feature provides a halo of light suspended over the rainbow crossings of the intersection to mark the “Heart” of Davie Village.

Rendered Views:

DAYTIME

EVENING

Question:

6. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for the permanent plaza:


Results:

• 72% supported the revised concept plan for the Plaza • The most common response (41%) was that respondents “really like” the concept

40.7%

31.4%

10.6%

5.9% 6.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%


Decorative Overhead Feature

Illustrative Renderings:

Question:

7. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for the decorative overhead feature:


Results:

• 53% supported the decorative overhead feature as shown in the concept plans and renderings

24.6% 28.8%

19.9%

10.6% 10.6%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%


Plaza Programming and Events

Description

Programming and use:

• Separated patios for adjacent businesses will be considered as a way to activate plaza

• Space will be designed and managed to support a range of programming types o From small-scale to larger “special events”

• Supportive infrastructure: power, water, storage, weather protection, etc.

• Make it easy for community groups and others to use and program the space

• Plaza partnership to guide the programming of the space, ensure equitable access, and manage access to power, storage, etc.

Question:

8. The plaza will be designed and managed to support a variety of community programming, events and activities. Which of the following would you like to see included in the plaza? (please check all that apply)

⃝ Art market ⃝ Seasonal market (e.g. Christmas market, summer night market) ⃝ Games night (e.g. board games, cards, chess) ⃝ Expanded patios ⃝ Pride events ⃝ Children’s activities ⃝ Buskers ⃝ Acoustic music ⃝ Movie night ⃝ Small-scale sports (e.g. badminton, horseshoes) ⃝ Dancing ⃝ Local food celebration ⃝ Other – please specify: __________________________________________________________

Results:

Most Common “Other” Responses: • No programming – should be a quiet, passive space • Public speakers / discussions / speakers corner • Music and concerts • Community-building activities and events • Picnics • Pop-up library

77%

65%

65%

63%

61%

50%

42%

41%

40%

36%

36%

26%

15%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Seasonal market…

Local food celebration

Art market

Pride events

Expanded patios

Games night…

Buskers

Dancing

Acoustic music

Movie night

Children’s activities

Small-scale sports…

Other…

Final Thoughts

Question:

9. Did we miss anything important to you? Do you have anything further to add? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Results:

Most Common Responses (categorized):

The plaza should include: • More moveable furniture and tables • More public art • Community info and events directory in the space • Kids play elements • More weather protection

The plaza shouldn’t permit: • Use after a certain hour (11pm was recommended) • Amplified music and busking • Smoking

Plaza – general : • Significant concern re: policing and security – most common comment • Concerns regarding potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists • Plaza should feel inclusive for all possible users – families, seniors, LGBTQ alike • Regular maintenance and cleaning a concern • Plaza should close North side as well and open Pendrell diverter

Overhead element • Non-support for ring shown and concerns re: look during day - cables

Traffic and circulation • Concerns about removing traffic lanes on Davie Street and spill over impact on adjacent streets • Cul-de-sac should remain closed / no through traffic to lane to reduce shortcutting

Mid-block crossing • Interest in additional future crossing between Jervis and Bute

Demographics

Questions and Results:

10. What is your connection to the West End?

11. What age group do you belong to?

53.8%

36.0%

0.8% 3.0%

13.1%

3.0% 5.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Rent in the neighbourhood

Own and live in theneighbourhood

Own in the neighbourhoodbut live elsewhere

Live outside of theneighbourhood

Work in theneighbourhood

Own a business in theneighbourhood

Other

0.6%

18.1%

44.1%

31.1%

0.6% 0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

19 or under 20-39 40-59 60-79 80+

12. Do you primarily identify as:

28.2%

49.7%

0.6% 0.0% 2.3%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Female Male Transgendered Other Prefer not to say

davie village public space improvements - vancouver · 2019-11-13 · background . in june 2015,...

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