The DTES Street Market at Pigeon Park and Carroll Street in 2013

501-533 Powell Street Community Economic Development Hub

Key points

The City of Vancouver is creating a Community Economic Development Hub (CED Hub) at 501-533 Powell Street.

The CED Hub will be a community asset that:

  1. Creates economic opportunities for Downtown Eastside (DTES) residents
  2. Enhances the social, cultural, and economic conditions of the neighbourhood
  3. Aims to connect neighbours and residents with one another, social enterprises, and community organizations
  4. Provides creative and recreational opportunities like artist makerspaces, urban farming, and gardening

We're engaging with community members, business improvement associations (BIAs), and stakeholders to identify opportunities and mitigate any negative impacts the hub may have in the community.

We'll manage the site through a community advisory committee.

Economic development that isn't business as usual

Community economic development hubs are an alternative to standard approaches to economic development.

They're founded on the belief that problems facing communities – like poverty – can best be addressed by a community-led and integrated approach.

Updates on this project

Open house and community notification about market development application

May 12, 2015 – We mailed a notice to DTES residents and community groups about the DTES Market Society's development application and its May 20 open house.

As well, to identify opportunities and find ways to mitigate any negative impacts, we're engaging with:

  • Community members
  • BIAs
  • Community centres
  • Housing providers
  • Business owners
  • Faith groups
  • Other stakeholders, including other levels of government and private foundations

Go in-depth

For more details, including:

  • Our plan for the hub
  • How the hub links to the DTES Plan
  • Events leading up to this project
  • Related policies

Go in-depth

Market Society applies for a development permit

May 8, 2015 – The DTES Street Market Society has applied to the City for a development permit to operate its street market at 501-533 Powell Street.

City meets with neighbouring groups about plans for the hub

April 2015 – We began discussions with DTES organizations adjacent to 501-533 Powell Street and with BIAs about the plan for the hub.

Local architect donates structure for proposed relocated market

March 23, 2015 – Michael Green Architecture donated a wooden structure to the DTES Street Market Society that will help position the site to be a new landmark destination in the DTES.

This wooden structure was placed on the terrace outside the TED2015 conference and reflects the shape of Vancouver’s Lions Mountains.

The structure will be placed at 501-533 Powell Street after improvements and deconstruction of the old foundry.

The Lions Club wooden marquee structure from the TED2015 that was donated to the DTES Street Market Society

Photograph by Ema Peter

City buys properties at 501-533 Powell Street

March 3, 2015 – City Council approved the purchase of seven lots at 501-533 Powell Street for the future development of a social housing project and community economic development hub.

Development will include removing any hazardous materials, deconstructing existing buildings, and doing environmental remediation.

What's happening to the existing DTES Street Market at Pigeon Park?

The existing market will continue to operate on Sundays from 11am to 5pm while we:

  • Seek input from the community
  • Work with partners to establish the CED Hub site
  • Enable the market to relocate there

To learn more about the market, read: