The City of Vancouver will convert part of Granville Street in the city’s downtown core to a pedestrian zone during this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim made the announcement at a press conference downtown on Wednesday, and says the street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Georgia Street and Davie Street.
“The Granville Street Pedestrian Zone will create a free and inviting space for everyone to come together, support local businesses, and celebrate the beautiful game together,” he told reporters.
Cross streets, including Robson Street, Smithe Street, Nelson Street, and Helmcken Street, will remain open to vehicle traffic throughout the pedestrian zone.
Buses that frequent Granville Street will be rerouted to Seymour Street and Howe Street.
On Tuesday, Translink announced that the transit service will add about 600 additional bus trips per day during the time of the soccer matches.
Jane Talbot, the CEO of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA), says that the city will also expand patio space for members operating within the pedestrian zone.
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She adds that the DVBIA will partner with local organizers to create space for “art installations, interactive activations, vendors, and live music.”
Talbot also says that city officials are working on installing additional washrooms at key locations during the summer.
Sim also addressed the ongoing issue of some SROs along the Granville stretch. Sim has pledged to close many SROs in the neighbourhood entirely.
When asked about the Luugat building, he confirmed that residents there are currently “being transitioned or will be transitioned into more appropriate housing.”
The building, which was converted into an emergency SRO as a temporary measure in 2020, will close before the World Cup arrives in the city. However, the mayor didn’t directly tie efforts to close down SROs to the tournament.