Comments on: Can Vancouver model work in an entertainment zone? The question

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:49:06 +0000

Urbanismo, I’m just telling it like I see it – we just have different views on the matter.

I have zero affiliations (and I’m definitely not a fan of Concord Pacific, despite living in one of their bldgs), I have clear views of both stadia, and my hearing is fine. As I said, the daily traffic noise is worse in my opinion, plus the concerts all end by 11pm.

I think the success of existing buildings within earshot of the stadia, of which there are several, is evidence enough that a dense NEFC makes sense.

By: Bill Lee

Bill Lee — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:36:11 +0000

Ah, the “entertainment zone” keep the drunkards in one place, much like keep the rubbies in one place, and do we need reminding of the Kerrisdale ghetto.
Toronto is wondering about the abuses of the masses at its district, and Paris, sweet Paris, is becoming No-Fun City.
Linkname: Petition claims Paris nightlife is dying | Travel | guardian.co.uk
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/nov/04/paris-france

…”Owners of nightclubs, concert halls and bars claim that boboisation -
gentrification – of traditional party neighbourhoods has led to a
gradual asphyxiation of nightlife. Residents moving into areas such as
the Marais, the city’s gay quarter, Bastille, a student hub, and
Belleville, a working-class district in the east, are unwilling to put
up with the noise, they say.
“Over the last 10 years Parisian music venues … have taken a heavy
blow due to Parisians’ growing desire for ever more tranquillity,”
claims the petition, blaming the city’s “extreme centralisation” for
bringing together recreational and residential areas….[ more ]

et
http://www.v1.paris.fr/fr/environnement/bruit/carto_jour_nuit/

By: Urbanismo

Urbanismo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:45:18 +0000

Jeeezuz god . . . ENTERTAINMENT ZONE! What fool conjured up that misnomer?

“Entertainment zone” implies diversity choice, interest, drama art . . . not overwhelming single use . . .

A cuppla marshmallows bung chock of screaming hooligans ain’t entertainment it’s affront to civil society . . .

By: gmgw

gmgw — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:27:11 +0000

I should add that the “restrictive noise covenant” or whatever you want to call it, will, as I understand it, apply only to the newly-built multiple towers planned to ring BC Place, most of them (but not all) to be developed by PavCo.

The one possible saving grace of this massive exercise in densification would be, I suppose, if said towers block, deflect or absorb a portion of the noise that will emanate from open-roof events (be they concerts, games or monster truck pulls), thereby saving the rest of False Creek from an earache.
gmgw

By: Urbanismo

Urbanismo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:12:49 +0000

Wacky Bennett’s equally wacky son built BC Place way, way back. Some one suggested its real estate is too valuable for such a use: that makes good sense.

And wacky too is the “restrictive noise covenant.” When the 20 somethings mature and want kids, they’ll challenge the ridiculous restriction and it wont stand up in court.

For the most part the noise, and its not only rock concerts, come for Surrey hooligans whose barren wasteland cannot keep them down on the farm Saturday nites . . .

Rip the bloody thing down and put us all out of our misery . . .

By: Joe Just Joe

Joe Just Joe — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:18:36 +0000

All the runs start and end in nefc because there is currently nothing there and it makes a good staging area, to imply they start or end there because there is anything special there is being dishonest.
You are correct I don’t live in NEFC as I’m not a piece of abandoned equipment sitting in a parking lot, I do however live in the international village area which is just as close to it, as citygate is. I’m sorry I just don’t share your vision for a grandiose creekside park. I do though envision a lively community even if it’s full of 20somethings.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:41:01 +0000

I’d just like to note my amusement that the condos near BC Place are being sold with restrictive covenants due to the anticipated noise issues. I recall that not long ago all of us who live in the vicinity of the proposed open-air Whitecaps stadium were repeatedly told that our concerns about noise were unfounded.

Anyhow, carry on.

By: Patsy McMillan

Patsy McMillan — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:16:04 +0000

Dear Joe
If there is nothing here to attract anyone to the park please tell then why 500,000 people come to Science World every year, mostly families, who also make use of the existing park and playgrounds. Why does every running event start and end here, why does every night boating practice and major events take place here and not just the weekend of the festival, why are volleyball players here every Thursday night throughout the summer, why are kids practicing their bicycle tricks, why are families coming here for picnics, why did the city sponsor 5,000 people in the park with booths etc. for the Bridge the Climate Gap event a couple of weekends ago? All of this and more happens here all the time. You obviously don’t live here or you would see the number of people who use the existing small park every day. It is probably one of the most highly used parks in the city because it is the only access point to the water from the eastern half of the city.
What is really happening here is the planning dept. is looking at the increased density and the future Creekside Park site in isolation when there should be a co-relation between the two. All other developers have had to adhere to the City’s park to person ratio of 2.75 acres per 1000 residents by either providing the park or by paying cash in lieu to the city for other substantial amenities. And, they have to pay it to the city before a shovel of dirt is turned.
We only want the same for NEFC.

By: Chris Keam

Chris Keam — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:58:39 +0000

” If one day the creek could be cleaned up enough to allow a beach to be built there then we could have a grand park,”

I have a kooky idea on that topic. I’d love to see power boats banned east of the Cambie bridge, a lock and platform for tidal power tech experiments built underneath the bridge, and a huge impermeable liner sprayed over top the toxic bottom of the creek. Restock it with indigenous fish and other sea life, put in a wave machine to generate surfing waves that travel from west to east and some you’d have an amazing urban beach.

By: Urbanismo

Urbanismo — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:30:33 +0000

I have trouble with Colin’s vigorous assertion, “I can attest that noise from the stadium and arena is not even of remote concern.”

And, “The local residents complaining all seem to be at City Gate.”

There can be only three conclusions to his ridiculous remark:

i. He is an employee of Spectrum, the planning dept or some such vested organization, and is not free to express his true feelings.

ii. His residence is on the leeward side: i.e. oriented away from the noise source.

iii. He is seriously hearing impaired.

I have enjoyed concerts sitting in Vanier Park, and there isn’t even a clear site/sound line to the stadium.

Quite often I have wondered. Are some posts planted to divert and diffuse . . . some are so completely rational, balanced and middle-grounded, I ask myself do the post-istas have an agenda?