Downtown Eastside Revitalization

DTES Revitalization

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Strathcona

Prior to European settlement, the Strathcona area was well known by First Nations as a camping spot called 'Kumkumalay.' In 1865 the area was chosen as the site for the Hastings Mill and over the years a number of industries contributed to the growth of this residential neighbourhood.

In the 1930's, Strathcona was a very diverse community that included people from a number of cultural backgrounds. Among these were Canadians of Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Jewish, Scandinavian, Russian and Ukranian descent. However, by the 1950's the mixture of housing and industry had given the 'East End' a derogatory meaning and the area was set to be redeveloped. The urban renewal plan called for the tearing down of homes and replacing them with large social housing projects. As well, a proposed freeway would cut through the neighbourhood while nearby Chinatown, was slated as an area where a third crossing to the North Shore would be built. The public outcry against its destruction eventually saved the neighbourhood, and Strathcona, as well as Chinatown, emerged with a strong identity.

Today, Strathcona continues to be a diverse neighbourhood with some light industry, retail, manufacturing, and wholesale storage. As Chinatown is right next door, nearly 61 per cent of Strathcona residents speak Chinese as a first language, with English, French, Spanish and Italian being the other primary languages. The neighbourhood contains some of the City's oldest heritage homes, but also includes apartments, public housing, converted houses and rooming houses.

More info:

Princess Avenue Interpretive Walk, Mural and Art Project

As part of the Great Beginnings Initiative, Council approved a $40,000 grant to the Strathcona Community Centre (SCC) to hire an art consultant and involve the community for the development and installation of artwork on Princess Avenue to make the street a more family and children friendly place. With the budget, the SCC will deliver 2 murals, 2 sidewalk markers and 1 structural sign (i.e. a free standing structure) along Princess Avenue.

The SCC, together with the Strathcona Elementary School, has proposed a project on Princess Avenue, a street frequently used by families and children, into an Interpretive Walk where the neighbourhood’s rich history and diversity can be showcased. Art-making projects involving children are proposed to engage the community in project implementation.

So far, the project has established broad excitement and participate in the neighbourhood, including the Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing, Union Gospel Mission, the Port of Vancouver, Strathcona Business Improvement Association, as well as local residents, property owners and businesses.

As the result of a two day design process with over 200 children from the neighbourhood, the following were identified as important themes for Princess Avenue:

The area's natural and architectural history;

More greenery and nature (e.g. community garden);

Connection to the water and Port;

Co-existence of people of diverse income and background;

Positive, fun and children and family-friendly activities and retail on street (e.g. street hockey, candy and comic stores).

The murals, sidewalk markers and structural sign, when completed, will begin to make Princess Avenue an attractive and positive place for children by placing artwork at key intersections. Beyond the current project scope, there are also other opportunities to partner with property owners to incorporate more artwork onto the buildings along Princess Avenue.

Neighbourhoods

Strathcona

More info:

Princess Avenue Interpretive Walk, Mural and Art Project