Advocacy Updates Blog
Published Jun 03, 2025

City of Vancouver - Granville Street Plan

Update

As mentioned in previous updates, at the Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities on June 4th, Council approved the Granville Street Plan in principle. 

The plan focuses on three character areas: City Centre, Entertainment Core, and Bridgehead, as outlined in the figure below: 

Notable proposed land uses include: 

  • City Centre (between Georgia and Smithe Streets): 
  • Featuring new mixed-use residential developments; 
  • Rezonings with rental housing residential uses will be considered in the City Centre (800 block of Granville); 
  • Entertainment Core (between Smithe and Davie Streets): 
  • Hotel and office rezonings for increased height and density will be allowed; 
  • New residential uses will be restricted to minimize noise conflicts with expanded entertainment activities; 
  • The Bridgehead (between Davie and Drake Streets): 
  • Rezonings with rental housing residential uses will be considered; 
  • Replace existing Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings with new, self-contained social housing. 
  • Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Hotels and Social Housing: 
  • Restricting new residential uses in the Entertainment Core, where existing SROs will be replaced over time, and SRO and tenant relocation would be secured off-site. Projects will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Existing residential buildings in this area can continue operating, but may only be redeveloped with non-residential uses (see Downtown Rezoning Policy); 
  • Allowing limited residential uses in the City Centre and Bridgehead to support replacing existing SROs with new self-contained social housing as part of larger mixed-use developments (see Downtown Rezoning Policy); 

Transit improvements to support the pedestrian zone include relocating bus service to Howe and Seymour Streets to support a destination public space and pedestrianized Granville Street. 

During the meeting, an amendment was passed directing staff to work with BC Housing and the Province to offer the use of City-owned sites to replace SRO and supportive housing units with self-contained housing, including operational funding from the two entities, along with the Federal government. 

More information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

 

 

 

 

February 18, 2025

The City of Vancouver is now seeking input on the proposed directions for the future of downtown Granville Street. You’re invited to share your thoughts on how the area can transform into a welcoming, vibrant and safer entertainment district, while preserving the unique history that makes the area special. 
 
The proposed directions being presented now reflect input from public engagement, as well as ongoing conversations with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, community organizations, equity--denied groups, service providers, local businesses and residents. 
 
Your feedback will help shape the final draft plan, which will be presented to Council for decision in June 2025. 
 
This survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and is open until Sunday, February 23.  
 
Follow this link to the survey: 

Take the Survey 

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser: 
https://survey.talkvancouver.com/jfe/form/SV_3gQPdShWUWba01o?Q_DL=ZkTQG2DC4kyqKhl_3gQPdShWUWba01o_CGC_CErMhbW3WBEzpzs&Q_CHL=email 
 
If you are having any difficulty completing this survey, please refer to the Talk Vancouver help page for assistance. 

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