Does Granville Island Need an Elevator?

Granville Island may be a tourist mecca and major Vancouver destination, but getting there is often a serious pain in the neck thanks to traffic and poor transit service.

And yesterday’s vehicle-pedestrian collision reminds us that there are some serious safety issues as well.

An elderly man is one of three people recovering after being hit by a car at the entrance of Granville Island on Sunday evening. According to ICBC there were about 650 crashes on Granville Island between 1996 and 2013.

A new 68-page report is floating an idea that could make Granville Island access easier and safer.

Granville Island 2040: Bridging the Past & Future says that an elevator between the Granville Street Bridge and Granville Island could draw more visitors and help ensure the long-term viability of the district.

“Directly above Granville Island, a city bus passes every two minutes along the Granville Street Bridge. Finding a way to connect Granville Island to this robust bus service corridor would greatly increase visits to Granville Island,” says the report.

According to the report, passengers going up would emerge on a viewing platform where they could take in spectacular views of the city. Passengers going down would be delivered to the shopping and services of a re-imagined Granville Island and expanded public market.

The report claims by lowering the “effective distance” to the island the elevator would greatly increase the likelihood of Vancouverites using Granville Island for food and convenience shopping as well as restaurants, theatres and other amenities.

So, does Granville Island need an elevator?

 

Last modified: May 29, 2017