May 13, 2003

City begins process to redevelop Woodward's

The City of Vancouver is starting a unique process to involve the community and other Vancouver residents in designing and planning the redevelopment of the Woodward’s building.

The City is conducting a two-step consultation process - community visioning workshops and an ideas fair. The workshops will generate interest and build momentum for the Ideas Fair, as well as give those who are unable to attend the Ideas Fair a chance to have their ideas heard. The suggestions and sketches of proposals generated will be brought to the Ideas Fair.

The workshops will be held:

TUESDAY, MAY 20
Carnegie Community Centre
401 Main Street (at Hastings)
Theatre Ballroom
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SUCCESS
28 West Pender Street
Choi Hall
6 - 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Strathcona Community Centre
601 Keefer Street
Activity Room
6 - 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 22
Portland Hotel
20 West Hastings Street
Ballroom
1 - 3 p.m.

Library Square
350 West Georgia Street
Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye Rooms
5 -9 p.m.

The final event, the Ideas Fair, will be an all-day event open to everyone: Vancouver residents, community groups, housing societies, retailers, educational institutions, architects, developers, etc. It will bring forward all the ideas and sketches generated to date in the workshops and encourage people to share their vision and suggestions for the redevelopment of Woodward’s. Participants will also explore, discuss and rate the features of the sketches created in both the workshops and the Ideas Fair. The Ideas Fair will be held:

SATURDAY, May 24
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Chinese Cultural Centre
50 East Pender Street
Vancouver, BC

The Woodward’s site is located in the 100 block of West Hastings, and is composed of several individual buildings constructed between 1908 and 1946. Since the store’s closure in 1993, the building has sat vacant and several attempts to redevelop it have failed. It has also been the focus of much debate about what should happen with the site. The City of Vancouver recently purchased the Woodward's building from the Province of B.C.

Media enquiries:
Catherine Clement
Corporate Communications
604.873.7270

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© 2003 City of Vancouver

Questions or comments, you can send us an email: info@vancouver.ca
Last modified: Wednesday, May 14, 2003