Previous engagement on Bute-Robson Plaza and Bute Street
In summer 2017, the City of Vancouver implemented a trial pavement-to-plaza on Bute Street south of Robson Street, in partnership with the Robson Street Business Association by re-purposing road space. The addition of street furniture such as seating with umbrellas, a piano, playful elements and planters, invited people to stop and stay, which resulted in strong support for the plaza.
In November 2017, with strong community support, Council voted unanimously to approve a permanent plaza and extend the current trial as an interim plaza until a final plaza is designed and constructed.
Public engagements for trial and interim phases of Bute-Robson Plaza include:
- Series of workshops with youth, seniors and key stakeholders to identify opportunities for public space and walking, cycling and rolling improvements along Bute Street.
- Pop-up engagement through Places for People Downtown Strategy to learn what’s working what can be improved at Bute-Robson Plaza and big ideas for Bute Greenway.
- Staff used this input to create draft project goals for Bute Greenway and develop a draft concept for a permanent design of Bute-Robson Plaza.
Over the years, in partnership with the local Business Improvement Association, the City has tested different layouts, measured traffic impacts, observed behavior in the space, and asked for input from community members.
In fall 2021, staff presented a concept design for a permanent Bute-Robson Plaza as part of phase one of Bute Greenway project along with other associated work on adjacent blocks of the plaza. Since then, staff have been refining the design with the Robson Street Business Association, adjacent businesses and residents.
In spring 2023, as part of Bute Greenway phase 2, staff are sharing final designs for a permanent Bute-Robson Plaza and associated work which includes widening sidewalks on adjacent blocks of Robson Street and linking the plaza with the existing Bute-Haro mini-park towards the south.
Construction on the permanent plaza is scheduled to begin in 2024 and will include widened sidewalks along Robson Street and a connection to the existing Bute-Haro mini park to the south.
This project is supported by the Transportation 2040 Plan, West End Community Plan, 2019-2022 Capital Plan, and Places for People Downtown Strategy, all of which encourage the creation of public plazas and gathering spaces across Vancouver.
