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People gathered at Jim Deva Plaza with the Speaker's Corner Megaphone

Heart of Davie Village Public Space Improvement Project

A new permanent plaza, decorative lighting, wider sidewalks, landscaping, public art, and a mid-block pedestrian crossing are being considered for the Heart of Davie Village at Davie and Bute streets.

These improvements are part of the West End Plan, which includes goals to:

  • Invest in Davie Village public spaces
  • Enhance the area’s distinct character as a hub for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community

Additional improvements being considered for Davie Village in the future include:

  • A mid-block crossing on Davie Street between Bute and Thurlow Street
  • An accessible automated public toilet on Bute Street north of Davie
  • An LGBT2Q+ outdoor museum on Bute Street north of Davie
  • An overhead feature above the rainbow crosswalks
  • Improved rainbow linear lighting along Davie Street

We want to hear from residents, business owners, community groups, and the LGBTQ community through open houses and online feedback. We're also working with the West End Business Improvement Association, City advisory committees, and other stakeholders as we move forward with these improvements.

Jim Deva Plaza

Jim Deva Plaza opened in July 2016 and is the latest improvement to Davie Village, located at Davie and Bute streets next to the rainbow crosswalks.

This plaza features colourful decorative lighting, scattered rainbow colours throughout the plaza surface, tables, and chairs, and a speaker's corner megaphone.

View photos and learn about Jim Deva, upcoming events, and hosting your own event External website

Jim Deva Plaza launch celebration

People gathered at the launch celebration of Jim Deva Plaza

August 8, 2016 - A fun evening of family activities and performances marked the official opening of Jim Deva Plaza on July 28th. This is the start of ongoing activities in the plaza in the months ahead. The plaza is already becoming a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors alike. In the coming months, you will see the final improvements to the plaza, including overhead lighting, a drinking fountain, more benches, and more moveable tables and chairs. The Jim Deva Plaza Stewardship Oversight Committee is also working to ensure the plaza is clean and well-maintained over the long-term. Visit jimdevaplaza.ca External website to learn more.

July 19, 2016 - Check out our video of Councillor Tim Stevenson introducing the new plaza and talking about the City's Pride Launch 2016.

Jim Deva Plaza construction progress

Construction of Jim Deva Plaza

July 7, 2016 - Construction is underway for the new Jim Deva Plaza, opening July 28, 2016. Pouring of the plaza concrete surface scheduled to be complete by July 17th with fresh new rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of Bute and Davie Street. The plaza will also have a "Megaphone" speaker's corner in commemoration of Jim Deva. This colourful new plaza will have moveable tables and chairs and additional features installed later this summer. The plaza will provide the West End with a vibrant public space at the heart of Davie Village. Come join us for the launch celebration on July 28th on Davie and Bute Street.

Council approves Phase One of the Davie Village Public Space Improvements

Illustration of the plaza design

December 21, 2015 - On December 16, City Council approved the detailed design and funding for Phase One of the Davie Village Public Space Improvements project, including the Jim Deva Plaza and associated transportation modifications.

We will continue to work over the coming months to prepare the Jim Deva Plaza Stewardship Strategy before an estimated plaza opening date of summer 2016.  We look forward to an exciting summer of events and programming.

Council presentation December 16

December 9, 2015 - The Davie Village Public Space Improvements project will be presented to Council on December 16 for approval of the detailed designs for phase one of the improvements, including Jim Deva Plaza and the related transportation changes. Sign up to speak at this Council meeting.

Consultation summaries: Find out what we heard

December 9, 2015 - In October, 280 people filled out a third questionnaire providing their feedback on the detailed design for the plaza and public space improvements.

Questionnaire: What do you think of the final designs for the Jim Deva Plaza?

October 22, 2015 – If you can't make it to our open houses, we'd still like your input. View the information displays PDF file (4 MB) and take our short online questionnaire. The questionnaire is open until November 1, 2015.

Open houses October 22 and 24 and questionnaire: What do you think of the final designs for Jim Deva Plaza?

Jim Deva Plaza fall 2015 open houses

October 20, 2015 – We're ready to share the final design for Jim Deva Plaza. With your help at the April and June open houses, we identified and refining the preferred concept.

Drop by an open house to let us know what you think of the design. City staff will be on hand to answer questions and receive your feedback.

  • October 22, 4:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Jim Deva Plaza, intersection of Davie and Bute streets
  • October 24, 11:00am to 2:00pm, at the Jim Deva Plaza, intersection of Davie and Bute streets

Council approves location and conceptual design of Jim Deva Plaza

July 22, 2015 – City Council approved the location and conceptual design for a new public plaza in Davie Village. The permanent plaza will close Bute Street south of Davie to the lane to vehicle traffic and will be named “Jim Deva Plaza” in recognition of the late community activist and champion for free speech and LGBTQ rights.

Work for the Jim Deva plaza will continue through the fall to advance the detailed design of the plaza and prepare a plaza management strategy and an LGBTQ outdoor museum.

Consultation summaries: Find out what we heard

June 30, 2015 – In May and June, 236 people filled out a second questionnaire providing their feedback on the refined design concept for the plaza and public space improvements.

June 17, 2015 – In April, nearly 300 people told us what they thought about the three preliminary design concepts for the plaza and public space improvements.

People attending an open house at Heart of Davie Plaza

Questionnaire: What do you think of the preferred design concept?

June 15, 2015 – Thank you to everyone who completed our questionnaire.  We are now analyzing the feedback we received.

June 4, 2015 – If you can't make it to our open houses, we'd still like your input. View the information displays and take our short online questionnaire. The questionnaire is open until June 14, 2015.

Open houses June 4 and 6: What do you think of the preferred design concept?

June 1, 2015 – In April, we hosted two open houses inviting you to help us create a plaza that's an inviting, dynamic space, which celebrates Davie Village and the local LGBTQ community. Based on the feedback we received from the open houses, questionnaire, and additional stakeholder consultation, City staff and consultants have refined a preferred design concept for the plaza.

Drop by an open house to let us know what you think of the concept. City staff and consultants will be on hand to answer questions and receive your feedback.

  • June 4, 5:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Heart of Davie Plaza
  • June 6, 11:00am to 2:00pm, at the Heart of Davie Plaza

Questionnaire: What do you think of the design concepts?

May 12, 2015 – Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. We're now analyzing the feedback received.

April 24, 2015 – If you can't make it to our open houses, we'd still like your input. View the information displays and take our short online questionnaire. The questionnaire is open until May 8, 2015.

Open houses April 25 and 27: What do you think of the design concepts?

April 13, 2015 – Drop by an open house to see the three preliminary concepts for the Heart of Davie Village Public Space Improvements. It's your chance to review the proposals and let us know what you think. City staff and consultants will be on hand to answer questions and receive your feedback. Help us create a plaza that’s an inviting, dynamic space that celebrates the Davie Village and the local LGBTQ community. Get the details:

Project details

Overview

The project includes:

  1. A new permanent plaza on Bute Street south of Davie Street with a decorative overhead feature
  2. Decorative lighting, wider sidewalks, landscaping, and public art on Bute Street between the lane north of Davie Street and Burnaby Street
  3. A new mid-block pedestrian crossing and better public space on Davie Street between Bute and Thurlow streets

Map

Map of improvements to the Heart of Davie Village

Key dates

Date  Phase and events 

March 2015 

Phase 1: Confirm issues and opportunities

City staff meet with businesses, residents, and stakeholders to confirm issues and opportunities identified through the Heart of Davie Village Plaza pilot project.

April 2015 

Phase 2: Identify three conceptual options 

PFS Studio prepares conceptual options based on feedback for City staff and the public to review.

City staff and PFS Studio hold workshops for stakeholder and business owners.

City staff and PFS Studio hold public open houses and conduct a questionnaire.

May 2015 

Phase 3: Select and refine the preferred option

PFS studio reviews feedback, identifies the preferred option, and refines it.

City staff and PFS Studio hold more workshops for stakeholders.

City staff and PFS Studio hold more public open houses and conduct another questionnaire.

June to July 2015 

Phase 4: Prepare and present Council report

City staff prepare a Council report recommending the approval of a half-block closure of Bute Street south of Davie Street to create a new permanent plaza named Jim Deva Plaza.

City staff present the plaza design concept and associated recommendations to Council for approval.

August to October 2015

Phase 5: Prepare detailed design and plaza management strategy

City staff and PFS studio prepare the detailed design for the public space improvements, informed by community input.

City staff work with stakeholders to prepare a plaza management strategy to address programming, management, and maintenance of the space.

City staff host a final round of public open houses and conduct a questionnaire.

November to December 2015 

Phase 6: Prepare and present Council report

City staff prepare a Council report with the:

  • Detailed design, budget, and source of funds for the public space improvements
  • Plaza management strategy
  • Preliminary concept for an LGBTQ outdoor museum

City staff present the recommendations to Council for approval.

Winter and spring 2016 

 The City constructs the plaza (pending Council approval). 

Summer 2016

The City opens the plaza for public use.

Work leading up to this project

We worked with partners to test a temporary Heart of Davie Plaza

This community-initiated pilot project provided a year-round public space for the Davie Village community to gather, socialize, and put on programs and events. The project took place from July 2013 to September 2014 during the process of creating the West End Community Plan. The pilot was carried out by the West End Planning and VIVA Vancouver staff in partnership with the West End Business Improvement Assocation, Qmunity, Gordon Neighbourhood House, and other community organizations. Overall, there was strong community support for the pilot plaza, but many felt it needed to look and feel like a plaza, rather than a closed road.

We heard strong support for a permanent plaza

To gauge public support for creating a permanent plaza at Davie and Bute, we conducted in-person surveys on the street and a resident and business questionnaire in spring and summer 2014.

The responses show support from:

  • 85 per cent of 119 people we surveyed
  • 80 per cent of 641 residents and businesses that took our questionnaire

Contact us

westendplan@vancouver.ca

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