Water Street Pedestrian Zone pilot

Changes coming to Gastown summer 2025

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  Weekly Water Street Pedestrian Zone Sundays

  This summer’s car-free pedestrian zone will be on Sundays from 10am to 6pm, with events and community programming.

  It will run from June until September long weekend, starting on Sunday, June 15, from Richards Street to Columbia Street. 

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  Water Street public realm enhancements

  Seating, extended patios, plantings, and programming at key locations during the week and on car-free Pedestrian Zone Sundays all summer long.

  A new eastbound bike lane will be added on the street, running from Richards Street to Alexander Street.

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  Improved neighbourhood access with 2-way Cordova

  Cordova Street will be temporarily become a 2-way street between Gore Avenue and Richards Street to improve access for residents, service providers, and visitors.

  Traffic lanes on Powell Street (between Gore Street and Columbia Street) will also be modified to encourage through-traffic to divert to Cordova Street. 

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  Preparing Water Street for summer 2025 

  In May, crews will be preparing for public space enhancements on Water Street and the Water Street Pedestrian Zone. This work will also include the introduction of an eastbound on-street bicycle lane from Richards Street to Alexander Street. 

  • Early May: Alexander Street west of Columbia Street will become 2-way and will no longer be accessible by motor vehicles from Maple Tree Square. 
  • Late May: Line painting and installation of barriers, furniture, and planters along Water Street will take place. Drivers can expect intermittent closures along Powell Street and Water Street from Columbia to Richards Street. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. 
  • Early June: The implementation of public space enhancements along Water Street is anticipated to be completed by early June. 
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  Get involved in the pilot

  Community organizations, residents, and local businesses are invited to bring their creative activations to life during the Water Street Pedestrian Zone Sundays by applying for an open streets permit.

  The permit was created to support small-scale events and creative activities in pedestrian zones. Review eligibility and available community funding opportunities

  Note Applications close May 11, 2025. 

2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone pilot

In the summer of 2024, we launched the Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot to test a pedestrian-friendly environment in Gastown. The pilot aimed to enhance the area’s public space while maintaining access for businesses and residents.
 

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  Background

  In spring 2023, Council directed staff to:

  • Proceed with urgent, interim repairs to Gastown streets and sidewalks
  • Develop a public spaces plan to guide investments and planning for the future of public spaces in Gastown
  • Explore pedestrianizing Water Street to support vibrant public life 

  The Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot ran from July through August 2024. It included:

  • Car-free and car-light sections that prioritized walking, local businesses, culture, community-building, biking, and rolling
  • Showcased artwork courtesy of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations
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  Pilot area and experience

  We closed sections of Water Street and Maple Tree Square PDF file (585 KB) to vehicle traffic, allowing people to:

  • Stroll freely
  • Enjoy the historic charm of Gastown
  • Eperience the neighborhood in a whole new way

  Local access for residents and businesses was maintained, making sure the community could still function smoothly. Public seating areas were created to give people a place to relax and linger in Gastown.

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  Local business opportunities

  To support businesses in making the most of the extra street space, we provided:

  • Expanded patios
  • A streamlined permitting process

  This made it easier for businesses to expand patios, display merchandise, and explore other uses like live music on patios and vending, helping them engage customers in creative ways.

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  Community programming

  During the pilot, special events and pop-up activities were created to bring people together and make the space livelier and more welcoming.

  To make it easier for organizers to get involved, we introduced the open streets permit— a simple way for community members to host events and add to the fun!

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  Public feedback

  Throughout the pilot, City staff closely monitored public space use, traffic flow, and access to the pedestrian zone, while gathering feedback from residents, businesses, and visitors through surveys, workshops, emails, and 1-on-1 conversations. For more details, review full Council report PDF file (3 MB).