Last Wednesday, Vancouver City Council approved funding for a permanent makeover to Vancouver’s only central public square. Earlier this month, there was concerns that funding for the 800-block Robson Square plaza might be reallocated. With this vote, the funding is secured and the project is moving forward.

I have been following the story of public space around the Vancouver Art Gallery for years, from my sharing my concerns about the design of the North Plaza, to advocating for the permanent closure of the road that runs through Robson Square. Since then, the North Plaza has been renovated, the 800 block of Robson Street has been permanently closed. The only missing piece is renovating Robson Square, which is now slated to be completed this year!

The $5.4 million new plaza will include a continuous flat level of concrete and pavers consistent with the rest of Robson Square, landscaping, movable furniture, curved wooden benches around the glass domes, permanent lighting, and public art.

There will be bollards on both ends of the plaza and trees will be planted on the plaza’s Hornby Street end. The pedestrian crossings on each side of the plaza will become Vancouver’s first pedestrian scrambles, which stop traffic and allow pedestrians to cross from all sides of an intersection.

Give thanks to the team at the Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN), who have been advocating for the expansion and enhancement of Robson Square since they launched their organization over 12 years ago. According to the VPSN:

Supergirl #222 “Nevertheless, She Persisted”

Kara faces off with her cousin and then finds an alternative method for repelling the Daxamite invasion.

Kara and Clark continue their battle which started on Rhea’s ship down in the pond at Robson Square.

Kara challenges Rhea to a duel for Earth and they fight on the rooftop and inside of 1133 Melville Street.

The rest of the gang fights off Daxamite invaders in the alley beside Cathedral Square and adjacent Homer Street.