Vancouver approves Broadway redevelopment

Vancouver's council has voted in favour of a plan that will dramatically change the look of the city's Broadway corridor over the next 30 years.

The #BroadwayPlan passed last night, advancing our #VanClimateAction target of ensuring 90% of residents can live within an easy walk or roll of their daily needs by 2030 by focusing on creating walkable, complete neighbourhoods.

Read the release here: https://t.co/UEcTJKKrD1 https://t.co/vOK6PLvmkw

— City of Vancouver - Greenest City (@greenestcity) June 23, 2022

Councillors voted seven to four in support of the plan to add up to 30,000 homes along a six-kilometre, 16-block wide strip serving Vancouver General Hospital, City Hall and hundreds of businesses, shops, restaurants and schools.

The project is planned to complement construction of the Broadway subway line, slated for completion in 2025.

Concerns about the plan, which will allow highrises of up to 40 storeys, focus on possible displacement of current tenants while failing to make rental accommodation more affordable.

But supporters, including Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, say more than 50 per cent of the new homes will be rentals and residents displaced by construction will have the right to pay an identical, or possibly lower rent, on their return.

A statement from the city says the development also supports Vancouver’s target of ensuring 90 per cent of people can live within a short trip to work, school or shopping by 2030 without using their vehicle.