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Rusty Gull

Oct 8, 2007, 5:45 AM

The Lower Lonsdale neighbourood in the City of North Vancouver is undergoing a significant transformation. This former home to ship-building and other maritime pursuits, once the civic centre of North Vancouver, was infamous in recent decades for its mix of seedy bars and small-town crime.

However, a healthy shot of economic revitalization and gentrification has given Lower Lonsdale new life. Its seaside setting, at the gateway to the North Shore Mountains and a short passenger ferry ride to downtown Vancouver, has bolstered its popularity during the Lower Mainland's recent real estate boom.

Some of the most important projects for Lower Lonsdale:

1. Addition of a new SeaBus to move foot passengers between Lonsdale Quay and Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver
2. Residential, office and hotel developments as part of "The Pier" project on Esplanade Avenue
3. Potential establishment of "National Maritime Museum" at the foot of the Lonsdale Pier
4. Improvements to Lonsdale Quay Market, including additional retail tenants
5. New retail tenants for Lonsdale Avenue: Burgoo, The District Social Club, Rain City Coffee, Waves, Royal Bank, Bella Candela, etc.
6. North Shore Seawall, part of 2010 Legacies, that will link Lower Lonsdale (as the midpoint) to, ultimately, Horseshoe Bay and Deep Cove
7. The refurbished Streetcar 153, with a planned east-west route to run along the waterfront (starting near Lonsdale Quay)
8. New public marina at Mosquito Creek

With all of this being said, there's still a legacy of the North Shore maritime industry (including the site of the BC Fast Ferries, and Cates Tugboats plying the waters of Burrard Inlet), and some of the area watering holes and pubs still do a brisk business.

The new Pier tower, backdropped by the old shipyards on Burrard Inlet:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/373504105_ba7396dd9d.jpg?v=1170092302

Queen Mary Elementary School:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/373504256_83db753b4d.jpg?v=0

Lonsdale at 2nd Street:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/373503992_8658833ca6.jpg?v=1170092266

Another North Shore heritage site -- St. Edmunds Church:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/373503868_11192bc7f6.jpg?v=1170092232

Hopefully we can track ongoing developments in Lower Lonsdale on this thread...

fever

Oct 8, 2007, 6:40 PM

From yesterday...
http://members.shaw.ca/mikef0001/Image055.jpg

Coldrsx

Oct 9, 2007, 9:49 PM

^i was there sunday and boy are things slowly starting to change, but man o man there is a ton of wasted opportunity in that area. Literally feels like you go from amazing downtown van to mehville.

raggedy13

Oct 10, 2007, 5:33 AM

7. The refurbished Streetcar 153, with a planned east-west route to run along the waterfront (starting near Lonsdale Quay)

A streetcar sounds great. Anybody have further info on this?

SpongeG

Oct 10, 2007, 6:12 AM

its going to run to park royal isn't it?

Rusty Gull

Oct 11, 2007, 3:59 AM

^i was there sunday and boy are things slowly starting to change, but man o man there is a ton of wasted opportunity in that area. Literally feels like you go from amazing downtown van to mehville.

Keep in mind that much of this was abandoned industrial land just over a decade ago.

I actually appreciate the small-town ambience and grittiness of Lower Lonsdale. You won't find your Bikram yoga studios, Paris Hilton wannabes or designer baby stores there; nor the mega-malls or big box stores.

I hope that Metro Vancouver can always have throwback neighbourhoods like these.

Rusty Gull

Oct 11, 2007, 5:06 AM

From the North Shore News:

Wheels rolling on plan for Streetcar 153

Council ponders running heritage car on less expensive flat route
Heidi Castle and Joanna Habdank, North Shore News

Published: Sunday, August 19, 2007

There's plenty of desire to keep the wheels rolling on a piece of the City of North Vancouver's history.

City council is taking a look at re-enlisting the services of streetcar No. 153, a lovingly refurbished trolley that first saw service in 1908 on tracks that ran from the foot of Lonsdale Avenue to 23rd Street. Currently it's stationed underneath the Fen Burdett Stadium in Mahon Park.

A few years ago, the city completed a study at a price tag of $75,000 that found the initial investment to get the car zipping along its old Lonsdale route wound be $21 million. That didn't include the operational cost, which would be substantial and have to include professionally-trained engineers to manage the tricky North Shore hills, said Mayor Darrell Mussatto.

City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto and Coun. Craig Keating take a trip down memory lane inside the refurbished Streetcar 153, currently in storage while plans for its future are discussed.

But there is some hope the car could run as a vintage streetcar service on an east to west flat route from Park and Tilford Shopping Centre to Kings Mill Walk -- or some portion of that stretch.

Another possible route is running it from the foot of Lonsdale westward to the Automall site, said Mussatto. That would involve working with Squamish Nation and CN Rail since tracks would likely have to be laid close to or beside the occupied lands.

The cost of running the streetcar on a flat route is a considerably lower $4 million, but that still means the city couldn't take on the full cost. "It would probably be a combination of municipal and private sector and voluntary contributions," said Mussatto.

He acknowledged that the city has financial priorities other than the streetcar. "But," he said, "I still think that we can find a way to get the streetcar back in action."

While the car has been out of service since 1947, and was most recently used as a chicken coop in the Fraser Valley, it was the object of a four-year grand passion by Bob Booth, an engineer living in North Vancouver, to see it restored. He volunteered his time and restored the streetcar to its original condition. The cost of the restoration came at around $200,000.

"It's quite an amazing job he did," noted Mussatto. He added that the electric streetcar is important for the city as a reminder of its rich history and the idea of sustainable transportation.

Over the years many people including former mayors Jack Loucks and Barbara Sharpe pushed to see the streetcar put back into action. "It was a number of people's labour of love," said Mussatto.

Bringing No. 153 back to life fits in with the development in Lower Lonsdale and the time is right given that it will be the streetcar's centenary next year, he said.

Streetcar No. 153 has struck a chord with many people, said Mussatto.

"I put forward the motion, which passed unanimously, to get the streetcar as a static display or to get it working," he said.

"Whether or not it runs east or west it should come out of mothballs and be put where people can see it," said Coun. Barbara Perrault during a recent council discussion on the topic.

Council voted unanimously in favour of exploring options for streetcar No. 153.

© North Shore News 2007

officedweller

Oct 18, 2007, 4:45 AM

From the North Shore News:

http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=a1ae384f-75b9-4fb7-beb5-95d78c31d581&k=38354

400-foot waterfront tower proposed
Lower Lonsdale plan includes art gallery, floating swimming pool

Heidi Castle, North Shore News
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A 36-storey residential tower inspired by the Princess Louise, a 1921 luxury passenger liner built in North Vancouver's Wallace Shipyard's, is the signature piece in a new development proposal for the foot of Lower Lonsdale.

If approved, the city will enjoy an A-list of public amenities in exchange for a density transfer from public to private land. Besides a LEED silver-certified residential and commercial tower hooked up to the Lonsdale Energy Corporation's geothermal heating grid, those amenities include a new, prominent, waterfront home for Presentation House Gallery, a public floating swimming pool built on a new public wharf extending into the harbour south of Lonsdale Avenue, a unified city seawall walk and public art opportunities. Long-range plans call for a new home for the Whistler Rocky Mountaineer, a repositioned SeaBus terminus and bus loop, and an east-west route for the city's historic streetcar 153.

The area under consideration includes land held by Millennium Developments and the City of North Vancouver. Combined, the property is referred to as Site 8 and sits north of Carrie Cates Court, south of Esplanade Avenue and east of Rogers Avenue.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/157ccc88-d038-4a4c-b40b-818d8519d682/400footwaterfront.jpg?size=l
A conceptual illustration of a proposed 36-storey tower, art gallery and floating swimming pool just west of the foot of Lonsdale Avenue.
graphic supplied

Site 8 will be further combined with other city-owned property at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue for a total area of 11,076.2 square metres (2.75 acres).

The proposal is to transfer the density off both city-owned parcels and concentrate it on the Millennium property and then use the city land for amenity development.

That density shift would see a potential 7.1 FSR (floor-space ratio -- a ratio that determines the building footprint relative to the lot it sits on) in the one corner of the combined parcels up from the current 2.6 FSR of each individual site.

The city's official community plan designates the land as "town centre mixed use" with a building height of 40 feet. The Lower Lonsdale planning study suggested upping the height limit to 75 feet but retained the 2.6 FSR.

"This is an important site in the history of North Vancouver," Gregory Henriquez of Henriquez Partners Architects told city council Monday. "The goal of our design is to try and bring back a resolution to this historic water's edge and find a way in the 21st century to make North Vancouver as significant and important a city as it can be."

This proposal is about community and will enliven the city's waterfront, he said. "The poetry for our architecture always comes from the nature of the site."

Initial view studies show less than 10 per cent blockage which is less than the 15 per cent acceptable in the City of Vancouver, said Henriquez.

The proposal builds on a concept that originated with a five-year-old city-driven study, known as "Where the mountains meet the community and the sea," he said.

Highlights of the four-phase proposal begin with building the residential tower, relocating the Railway Museum to Waterfront Park, while developing some of the city land for public space, a new home for Presentation House Gallery, and the proposed new wharf and pool.

The subsequent phases and longer term vision anticipate the Whistler Mountaineer Station move to Waterfront Park, building the route for the city's historic street car, the relocation of the SeaBus terminal to the foot of Lonsdale and a renovated and repositioned bus circle.

Joining Site 8 with the foot of Lonsdale is something council has endorsed, said Coun. Craig Keating. It's something the city has encouraged for a long time, he said.

"It's a very intriguing proposal," said Keating. However, there are many hurdles and a lot of hard work ahead for the developer, he said. "The community has to put this in some kind of context. If this were a proposal pure and simply for a 40-storey building and nothing else that would be a different thing."

The amenity list needs to be considered he said. Keating said he likes a pool in Lower Lonsdale, a stop for the Rocky Mountaineer, a hook up to LEC and a new home for the Presentation House Gallery.

"That gallery has done more in a sense to advertise the City of North Vancouver internationally than anything else," he said. "It's a world class photo arts gallery that has received many awards and to have a new waterfront home for that would be terrific."

"I don't know that your current plan makes the best use of that whole area," said Coun. Bob Heywood. "I think there's a lot of work to be done in reshaping the presentation of this very important area for the city."

Heywood said he's not convinced the city needs another public plaza when one is part of the Maritime Museum proposal just east of the foot of Lonsdale.

Additionally, the half-block of business to the east of Site 8 is excluded from the plans, he said. "It would seem to me that if we're going to create some space down there we need to involve that half of the block."

"The scope of amenity that's going to lend any support to this kind of project is going to be pretty significant," he said.

"We are in the genesis of this design stage," said Henriquez.

On the issue of the small scale buildings to the east, Henriquez said his design responds to their scale and that they are integral to the heritage of the neighbourhood and should be left or possibly restored in similar scale.

"I gasped a little," admitted Coun. Barbara Perrault at the 400-foot proposed tower. But, she said she likes the amenity list. "This (Presentation House Gallery) is a very sophisticated and very, very substantial gallery that we have in this community and we have not sung it's praises loud enough," said Perrault. "It needs a decent home."

She also supported the concept of the pool, but would like to see a 50-metre version if possible.

Coun. Pam Bookham said unless the public strongly supports the proposal she could not support that level of height on the city's waterfront.

"The doubling of the height of this building, even for the very worthwhile amenities that have been proposed I think is going to be a very difficult public sell," she said.

Council carried a motion for an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning application, with Bookham opposed, that will see the proposal move to the public discussion stage.

Coun. Sam Schechter was absent.

© North Shore News 2007

Reach for the sky

North Shore News
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

THE ramifications of the latest development proposal for Lower Lonsdale before City of North Vancouver council are huge.

A 400-foot tower where zoning exists for 40 feet (and only a suggestion for 75 feet) is going to make some upslope residents unhappy about their loss of view.

On the other hand, the benefits that the development would provide the city are enticing: a waterfront home for Presentation House Gallery which has long wanted a move to a purpose-built home in a higher traffic area as well as another waterfront pier with the novel concept of a floating swimming pool.

Residents adjacent to Waterfront Park will not be thrilled about the concept for the park to be the Whistler Mountaineer's terminus, but the plan makes commercial sense in terms of attracting tourists to North Vancouver. Reorienting the SeaBus terminal and our incredibly ugly bus loop should also improve the North Van experience for visitors.

But the bigger picture is whether the size of the proposed 36-storey building is appropriate for its Rogers Avenue location and whether the tower block is the appropriate defining image for Lower Lonsdale. It would be a bold statement not just from a North Vancouver perspective, but also as seen from the Vancouver side of the inlet.

We have written recently about the need for citizens to participate in local government. The public process on this one requires all city residents to get involved -- and council to assess that response accurately.

© North Shore News 2007

Sept 20th, 2007 - Global Air Photo of the area. The site is just above the red roofed buildings in this pic:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/north_vancouver/2007/nvh2007_130.jpg

Rusty Gull

Nov 2, 2007, 5:53 AM

Lower Lonsdale: the next Yaletown?
By Alyssa Noel - North Shore Outlook - November 01, 2007

Forty years ago it was North Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood, but today all signs indicate Lower Lonsdale is poised to become the next Yaletown, according to some community players.

Their evidence lies in the migration of businesses, a recently-proposed 400-foot tower development and new RBC bank slated to open this week.

The bank, according to City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, is a harbinger of things to come.

“When banks and grocery stores such as IGAs, leave the area, it’s not a good thing,” he said. “We’ve got a situation now where we’ve got the IGA Market there and we’ve got a bank in the area and other banks looking in the area. So, it’s a very positive sign and I think it shows people like living in Lower Lonsdale and businesses are seeing that opportunity.”

Simone Doucette, manager at the new bank, said with over 1,000 small businesses in the area, RBC saw a prime opportunity to open a new branch. “Basically, the bank has seen an opportunity in a growing market,” she said. “We did have a bank in the market several years ago, but of course it was at a time when the market was quite recessed. Several years later, the market is growing and we see an opportunity.”

Naomi Yamamoto, president of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, said the symbiotic relationship between residents and businesses is fueling growth. As more residents move into the area, more stores and amenities are built, which attracts even more new residents. She pointed to the Moustache Cafe, a popular eatery moving from its Marine Drive location down to Lower Lonsdale, as an example.

“I think we’ll see a Yaletown-like atmosphere. And I think people will choose to live in this area because of our ease of transportation. You’ll be able to take the SeaBus into Vancouver for meetings. We have absolutely great restaurants opening up and I think what we’re seeing is a village-type feel,” she said.

That atmosphere has also caught the attention of Millennium Developments and Henriquez Partners Architects. Recently, they presented city council with a proposal for a new development at the foot of Lonsdale that includes a 36-storey residential tower, a floating public swimming pool built on a new wharf, a seawall walkway and a new waterfront home for the Presentation House Gallery. Future plans would include relocating the Whistler Rocky Mountaineer station to Waterfront Park, repositioning the bus loop and SeaBus station and creating a new east-west route for a historic streetcar that is being refurbished by the city.

Mussatto responded to the proposal with both excitement and wariness. “My reaction is that I certainly encourage re-development. We’ve been working on re-development of the shipyard site and in Lower Lonsdale for years,” he said. “But we haven’t heard from the public yet, so I’ll be interested to see how the public responds. There’s some positives to the proposal and some challenges. And I’m convinced we can come out with a win-win.”

While glossing up an area that houses low-income families runs the risk of gentrification, Mussatto maintained that re-development will include mixed housing.

“One of the priorities of our council is to make sure we have affordable housing,” he said. “It’s not just an area for the wealthy, but for everyone.”

deasine

Nov 4, 2007, 1:05 AM

Streetcar Information:
Lonsdale Streetcar Feasibility Study – came out of Lonsdale Corridor Master Plan. One of the recommendations was to use the streetcar as a means of linking the 3 areas of the corridor. A problem with the streetcar is equipment required for the streetcar to climb up the grade on Lonsdale to 23rd. Another issue is the need to create destinations. There is nostalgia about Streetcar No. 153 and many would like to see it used on its original route. Consultants examined the feasibility and it was determined that the cost was over $21M. The streetcar only goes as far as 14th Street. TransLink does not support this option as part of an integrated transit service since their current services are satisfactory for Lonsdale. No. 153 Streetcar is actually too fragile to make the route and it is not feasible to bring the car up to today's safety standards. Fuel Cells were contemplated but because of their size, they were ruled out. There are reproduction cars that are more serviceable than authentic cars. An East-West route was also considered. It would be less costly ($5M), but the destinations are not that attractive and the service would not get people up Lonsdale. At this point the plan is to go to public consultation. The study identifies a means of funding through taxation of Lonsdale businesses and adjacent property owners, which may not be popular.

Source: City Archives

Rusty Gull

Nov 5, 2007, 1:03 AM

Open house information below.

Hopefully some of the interested SSP forumers can contribute to the discussion and show their support for this good-looking development, because it's increasingly looking like the Nimbies are -- surprise, surprise -- getting ready to put up the mother of all fights against this.

A group called the "Lonsdale Citizens Association" is trying to quash the proposal already. They have been circulating petitions in the area.

From the City of North Vancouver website:

Several opportunities are being provided for early public input as follows:

Public Open House #1
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
12:00pm 5:00pm
City Hall, 141 West 14th Street

Public Open House #2
Thursday, November 15, 2007
4:00pm 8:00pm
City Hall, 141 West 14th Street

Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
5:30pm - Open House
6:30pm - Presentations & Input
Lonsdale Quay Hotel
3rd Floor, 123 Carrie Cates Court

yogiderek

Nov 24, 2007, 1:20 AM

Had a great article today on Lower Lonsdale. It was very supportive of the new tower.

Rusty Gull

Nov 24, 2007, 3:38 AM

Here it is...
-----

In North Vancouver, the new Lonsdale slowly emerges

TREVOR BODDY
From Friday's Globe and Mail
November 23, 2007 at 11:35 AM EST

North Vancouver's Lonsdale may be Metro's most under-achieving major street. First West Broadway, then West 4th and now West 10th have seen retail renewal and rows of new flats above shops. Vancouver's Commercial Drive and Main Street, plus Marine Drive in West Vancouver have joined this surge towards more interesting, re-jigged, pedestrian-friendly arterials. South Fraser and Victoria Streets are miracles of a different sort — alive with the immigrant communities that surround them, home to some of the best value grocers and restaurants in our entire metropolis. Just don't tell anyone about these gems, lest these Eastside streets be Starbuck-ed and sushi-ed into conformity.

Then there is sad-sack Lonsdale. With strings of franchise outlets and national chain stores relieved only by a welcome Persian deli or café here and there, Upper Lonsdale might as well be in Kamloops or Prince George. Lower Lonsdale once had character, but that was knocked out when key historic buildings were demolished and the small shops migrated away. This is because sites were acquired by big-time developers ramping the street and its environs up to some big-time future — one that has no space for mere Mom & Pop produce or hardware stores.

There is now a raft of new medium- to high-rise development flanking either side of Lonsdale, from the waterfront up the hill to above 20th Street. North Vancouver has opted for strict height limits on these condo towers, tending to make them wider and bulkier than their cousins across Burrard Inlet. City planning controls also mandate no more than three storeys for nearly the length of Lonsdale, keeping it a low-scale vestige — a hamster run surrounded by squat caged gorillas. Lonsdale has thus become the inverse of Vancouver's redeveloped arterials, where density is being added along commercial avenues, shaping new walls for the single family zones within.

The biggest changes of all are currently under construction or awaiting approval for the very foot of Lonsdale, between the yarrows where victory ships were once built and the quay where the SeaBus comes and goes. Here resides the true 900 pound gorilla of the entire North Shore — the massively gruff, multi-block, multiple-building development called The Pier, from Pinnacle International.

While it is true that the City of North Vancouver extracted a number of public benefits from this monster — waterfront lands and industrial building shells for a possible Maritime Centre, a widening and embellishment of The Esplanade, which it flanks — one of the benefits they did not extract is superior architecture and urban design.

The Pier's façades, now coming into view as construction completes for some of them, are an amalgam of Victoria-style brick fuzziness with Yaletown's glass-is-grand monotony. While some of this is a matter of taste, The Pier's weak urban design on one of the Lower Mainland's most prominent and interesting sites will, I feel, be regretted for decades. Amongst many questionable urban design decisions by I.B.I/Hancock-Bruckner architects was the pushing of a condo-hotel building almost flush to the corner of Lonsdale and The Esplanade.

With this key intersection visually constricting and entering into The Pier's shadow much of the day. We are losing a delightful and dramatic shift of vista when walking down Lonsdale's hill — the splendid diagonal views out to the former shipyards, and beyond these, towards the eastern stretches of Vancouver's own waterfront. Why would the City of North Vancouver to continue to hold down the height of Lonsdale's buildings up hill, then lift them way up right here, where their sunlight- and view-gobbling impact is by far the greatest? For a large site with other options, this is beyond baffling.

Across Lonsdale from The Pier is a very different urban design approach is proposed by Millennium Group, with Henriquez Partners as architects. A spire where The Pier proposes a wall of condos, all apartments are consolidated here into a single extra-tall tower, set in mid-block where it should be to minimize impact on Lonsdale and uphill neighbours (who will complain anyway, such being the price of the cult of the view in our town.) Project architect Gregory Henriquez tapers the top of the condo tower like the prow of a ship (in fact, the locally-famous S.S. Princess Louise), serving both to reduce the visual impact of penthouse floors, and to craft an icon denoting local history.

It is pure schmaltz to memorialize this long-moored vessel which spent most of its service life serving up fried seafood dinners, but nonetheless, the urban design and public benefit package offered up by Millennium Developments is impressive. Conceived in part to compensate for the negative impacts of The Pier, they propose terminating Lonsdale in a lively waterfront plaza, with views to the comings and goings of Seabuses, tugboats, the to-be-revived Wallace Shipyards, and the entire drama of a Vancouver harbour that is increasingly sealed off from its citizens by marinas and insensitive waterside development.

Hovering above this plaza the developer intends to pay for construction of a permanent home for the Presentation House Gallery, the first and likely only key cultural institution to find a home on our waterfront. With stakes upped by the design mistakes nearby, the proposal goes to North Vancouver's city council for re-zoning approval and height cap exemption early next year, and may be the last, best chance to forge the architectural landmark the North Shore has long needed.

Rusty Gull

Mar 18, 2008, 10:58 PM

Mussatto upfront on term's 'failures'

Bill Bell
Special To North Shore News

Sunday, March 16, 2008

It has been more than a year and half since I last sat down with City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto.

Mussatto was elected as a city councillor in the early '90s and was known for his "boyish good looks." He can now be best described as "distinguished" -- looking as if the pressure of office has brought grey in his hair and a few worry wrinkles.

"Yes the grey hair wasn't there two years ago," Mussatto said as he sat down at the Bravo Cucina restaurant on Lonsdale, ready to be grilled by his former colleague. I had warned him that I wasn't going to be easy on him and that the focus of my questions would be on what he thought were the biggest failures of his first term of office.

But first Mussatto, in a self assured manner, wanted to lay down his own rules. He was going to pay for lunch and, more importantly, it was not going to be paid for by the taxpayers.

I threw out my first pitch. I started with the word "homelessness," and before I even got the next word out Mussatto was emphatic. "Yes," he said, "We in the region (Metro) have failed. We have not done enough."

Mussatto was not going to take all the blame though, pointing out that the root of much of the homelessness problem on the North Shore was mental illness and drug dependency; often both combined. "It is a health issue that has to be addressed by the province. It has to be priority," Mussatto said.

"If we get the funding, the city will provide the zoning to build a facility," he vowed.

"The entire region is behind this -- except Burnaby," Mussatto said, taking a shot at fellow NDP Mayor Derek Corrigan. "North Vancouver must have a facility to help our people on the North Shore." The facility, according to Mussatto, would be built at Lions Gate Hospital.

"Transit!" Mussatto said before I asked my next question. "Transit and the lack of progress in getting improvements for the North Shore has been a big disappointment."

The mayor gave no quarter, saying that the North Shore had not been given its rightful share of transit dollars, but to lay the blame at his feet was not fair. "The expensive RAV line was something that I was against and the former Mayor (Barbara Sharp) was in favour of," Mussatto said. "A lot of our transit dollars went there."

The third big failure? Lower Lonsdale.

"Bill, when you were on council you always argued that the city wasn't doing enough for the children and families in Lower Lonsdale. You were right, and the statistics show that there are more families in that area with young children than in any other in the city," Mussatto said.

"We need to do something, and we need to something fast," Mussatto said.

The mayor floated several ideas, placing the emphasis on the expansion and utilization of the North Shore Neighbourhood House. "We have to make the area family-friendly. The school board should be looking at a new school in the area. The city needs to rethink Waterfront Park; perhaps a Mahon Park-style water park in the area. The completion of the waterfront walkway where families can skate, bike and skateboard together!" Mussatto became animated, almost excited.

Even though I hadn't said a word, Mussatto blurted out, "You're right, Bill, we have failed the families in Lower Lonsdale, and something has to be done about it."

You would think he was running again for office. Well actually he is.

The most awkward moments during the interview came when I asked how he felt about a certain council member; Mussatto responded 'My mother always taught me that if you have nothing good to say about a person you should keep quiet." There was silence for the next two minutes at the table.

We finished the interview on a strange note as Mussatto praised the environmental record of Gordon Campbell's Liberal government and criticized his NDP colleagues, "I don't know what they stand for."

I certainly have not dealt with a mayor who was as forthright and open to acknowledging his failures as Mussatto. Where there are three major failures, Mussatto and his council have accomplished many things. I will talk about them in a future column.

In the meantime, the mayor did live up to his promise: he paid for the lunch with his own credit card and not the Visa card issued by the city.

bill@on the roadin.com

© North Shore News 2008

officedweller

Mar 11, 2009, 8:00 PM

Global Air Photos shots from January 31, 2009:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/north_vancouver/2009/nvh2009_045.jpg
http://www.globalairphotos.com/large/BC/North_Vancouver/Lonsdale/2009/045/2

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/north_vancouver/2009/nvh2009_004.jpg
http://www.globalairphotos.com/large/BC/North_Vancouver/Lonsdale/2009/004/2

Rusty Gull

Mar 11, 2009, 9:18 PM

Thanks OfficeDweller.

If you look closely you can see the Spirit Trail waterfront path coming together near the BCIT Maritime campus and Mosquito Creek Marina.

Jonovision

Mar 12, 2009, 9:07 PM

What is that construction site right on the water with all the cranes?

LeftCoaster

Mar 12, 2009, 9:36 PM

That's the pier, the development that was stalled for a while but has restarted work

Jonovision

Mar 13, 2009, 2:22 AM

Any renderings?

Pinion

Mar 14, 2009, 4:29 AM

Any renderings?

I've been trying to work on a thread for the Pier development but the info available is so bad/non-existent that it's frustrating. It's difficult to even find pics of the three completed condos of phase 1 and 2 north of Esplanade.

Smooth

Mar 14, 2009, 5:50 AM

I've been trying to work on a thread for the Pier development but the info available is so bad/non-existent that it's frustrating. It's difficult to even find pics of the three completed condos of phase 1 and 2 north of Esplanade.

I did a search for "versatile shipyard" on the City of North Vancouver's website and came up with a few documents with renderings (although they're probably outdated now).

Here's the Lower Lonsdale Neighbourhood Development Guide...
http://www.cnv.org/c/DATA/2/171/LOWER%20LONSDALE%20NEIGHBOURHOOD%20DEVELOPMENT%20GUIDE.PDF

Here's a CNV site devoted to the development...
http://www.cnv.org/server.aspx?c=2&i=111

Hope that helps.

jozero

May 21, 2009, 6:10 AM

New building on the corner of Esplanade and Chesterfield, across from the theater, next to IGA, and replacing the Thai restaurant, announced its tenants. There will be a TD bank and a Boston Pizza.

The theater plus a boston pizza should be enough to draw crowds.

A rather bizarre cafe has opened at the base of the Pier. It shows art, including a bollywood movie in a large empty room, and has a few tables in quite a large space. Recently it looks to be retooling to be more of a Cafe. If it survives it likely will do alright once the hotel opens.

Still gunning for a nice bookstore to open in lower lonsdale.

Pinion

May 21, 2009, 10:32 PM

Ugh Boston Pizza. Better than nothing though.

When are we gonna get a VanCity in the CNV?

Rusty Gull

May 22, 2009, 4:36 AM

Pinion

May 22, 2009, 6:00 AM

I am happy to see anything other than coffee shops and hair stylists open up shop in LL. As someone who doesn't drink coffee and buzz cuts his hair it really sucks that every other store is one of those two.

jozero

May 27, 2009, 5:56 PM

Bike lanes have been painted on both sides Esplanade east of Lonsdale. I believe this is part of the Spirit Trail since through the Pier development the trail is pedestrian only. With the western extension of the trail through native lands near the pier the trail is coming along nicely. There is also very visual construction of the trail at the mall in west van.

I'm really glad to see the bike lanes. North Vancouver bike lanes are a disaster, they just seem to randomly start and stop. Esplanade is also way wider than necessary, it kills the flow of the block going down the hill on Lonsdale. They should look at what they did on marine way in yaletown and put a strip of greenery between the lanes.

Yume-sama

May 27, 2009, 6:45 PM

Two years ago there was not a single bank in Lower Lonsdale. So having a TD and an RBC is a major breakthrough, albeit a boring one.

On the other hand, a Boston Pizza is almost a setback -- unless their pizza has improved recently, which I am unaware of.

I've never actually known anybody who went to Boston Pizza for the pizza.

Which is probably good, cuz :yuck:

jozero

Jun 30, 2009, 5:56 AM

Any further info on the concert properties proposal for the North Shore's west waterfront ? I'm thrilled a developer is at least proposing this. The current 'use' of that part of the shore is simply a horror. It could be absolutely tremendous if medium density living extended to that part of North Vancouver. Its currently a planning disaster on prime property with car dealers, a school, a spa and chunks of empty land sitting on stunning waterfront property. It would also give the proposed street car a place to go from lower lonsdale.

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=6a1c590b-f910-4294-af79-fb4335866281

YYCguys

Sep 8, 2009, 4:11 AM

I've never actually known anybody who went to Boston Pizza for the pizza.

Which is probably good, cuz :yuck:

I agree. Their pizza sucks! Their pasta is numero uno though! :tup:

Rusty Gull

Sep 14, 2009, 12:38 AM

The Pier Hotel at the corner of Esplanade and Lonsdale is slated to open in November. It is actually starting to take shape nicely, and will include a small convention space (probably useful for the North Shore). Unfortunately, it does not -yet- have a name hotel (ie, Westin or Marriott) for the facility.

Personally, this would be a great opportunity for one of the up-and-coming hotel brands (ie, Residence Inn, which is a sub-brand of the Marriott chain) to establish their brand on the North Shore, as there are really only or two hotels you could stay at currently in the area for business.

The large structure shrouded in white that is visible from downtown Vancouver is a massive restored crane, which should add some character to the area. A performance stage close by has also been installed recently.

It will be interesting to see whether the area can become the public gathering place as envisioned by planners.

officedweller

Sep 23, 2009, 11:38 PM

Sept 2, 2009 Global Air Photo:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/north_vancouver/2009/nvh2009_177.jpg

jozero

Oct 21, 2009, 2:27 AM

Pinion

Oct 21, 2009, 6:21 PM

The Boston Pizza opened up on Esplanade and Chesterfield. The TD bank below it looks near complete. There are also many empty bays along the finished and still to be finished towers in The Pier development. Depending on the retail mix the entire block to block could become quite lively.

I was told by a saleswoman in the Pier showroom that nothing streetside on the south side of Esplanade will be retail. I'm hoping she's clueless but it really does look that way to me, the more it develops. What a waste of rare flat land. Esplanade could be a major pedestrian shopping area but they're gonna screw it up.

It looks like there may be retail on the small part of Lonsdale the hotel occupies though.

BTW I plan to update the Pier development thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=167189) with new photos in the next week or so, assuming weather cooperates. The latest photos are really out of date now.

Pinion

Oct 26, 2009, 8:03 PM

I've noticed slowly but surely all the empty Lower Lonsdale ave retail is coming back to life. Several new stores. But I just found out I love Sushi went under. :( 3rd street is still no place for a successful business.

jozero

Oct 26, 2009, 11:50 PM

Really nice looking restaurant appears to be opening soon called FishWorks, where the 'Cook Your Dinner' place used to be. Just up from Esplanade and Lonsdale on the West Side.

"I was told by a saleswoman in the Pier showroom that nothing streetside on the south side of Esplanade will be retail". In my opinion unless they reduce the scale of Esplanade on the East side it can't be a decent pedestrian area, the street is far too wide.

Rusty Gull

Dec 7, 2009, 1:35 AM

Sounds like a wave of crime is rocking Lower Lonsdale... what else is new...
this press release was issued by the RCMP last week...

North Vancouver - North Vancouver RCMP issues further warning about Theft from Vehicles.

The North Vancouver RCMP has recently identified a noticeable trend in thefts from vehicles in the Lower Lonsdale Corridor and is working hard on locating a suspect.

This is an opportune moment to once again remind the public about the importance of removing any and all belongings, valuable or not, from their vehicles even if parking only momentarily. It is crucial to take out ipods, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), any sums of money and during the Holiday Season, Christmas gifts.

It is hoped that the residents of North Vancouver will take these small steps to help avoid becoming a victim of crime.

delboy

Dec 7, 2009, 2:52 AM

I see the Raincity cafe has closed and the goalie store as for lease sign in the window. Wonder what will go in.

Rusty Gull

Dec 7, 2009, 3:27 AM

Rain City? Wow. The owner put a lot of money into that site, from what I hear.

Interestingly enough, that was the Nimbies-friendly cafe where Ivan Leanord and his followers used to gather when they were plotting against the Site 8 tower. The cafe itself was pretty vocal against the project.

Ironically, that kind of project (including its construction) would have brought in a flood of potential customers for Rain City.

Yume-sama

Dec 7, 2009, 3:51 AM

Pinion

Dec 7, 2009, 5:08 AM

trofirhen

Dec 7, 2009, 7:44 AM

Yume-sama

Dec 7, 2009, 7:47 AM

I went to Boston Pizza on Esplanade Saturday night and I'm happy to report it was full of customers. Pretty standard fare for its type, nice view of the city and a great balcony for the summer.

$60 for two people (no booze) seemed a bit pricey though...

I musy say, BC Boston Pizza is much better than Alberta Boston Pizza. :frog:

That is a bit pricey for Boston Pizza, though... you could go to The Italian Kitchen for the same.

red-paladin

Dec 7, 2009, 8:11 AM

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

trofirhen

Dec 7, 2009, 8:21 AM

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

Central Lonsdale has been Little Persia for nearly 20 years, and the upper slopes of Delbrook and Canyon Heights have been very German in character ever since the war. Before that, it was the ususal Scots-English base, with a swack of Scandinavians thrown in. The North Shore is very multi-ethnic, but it remains low-key about it, which is perhaps why it's less noticeable than in other parts of the city.

West Vancouver remains more "WASP" with numerous German and Scandinavian families, and some wealthy immigrant from HK and Taiwan, plus a smattering of of just about everything else, as is characteristic of all of the city.

red-paladin

Dec 7, 2009, 9:29 AM

I know what you mean, i was just trying to find a polite was to express that I tire of meeting many old white conservative people when I go there, my relatives included. I really can't stand to have any more conversations when I have to defend the concept of immigration to Canada by non-white people.

But of course, only a few people are like that. I don't mean to be a forum troll!

BCPhil

Dec 7, 2009, 9:41 AM

Haha, I thought you were being sarcastic (and was pretty funny) talking about Boston Pizza as bringing ethnic food to North Vancouver.

Pinion

Dec 7, 2009, 8:31 PM

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

ozonemania

Dec 8, 2009, 8:42 AM

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Ehhh, by 'Canadian-born communities' I am inferring that you are talking about white people. Or maybe you're talking about North Shore's Indian Reservations?

There are many, many non-white 'Canadian-borns' out there that have lived in Vancouver for generations. The reason the North Shore has historically been non-ethnic is no accident. North Shore systematically discriminated against 'ethnics' by not letting them settle there or buy property. Chinese, Japanese, South Asians were only allowed to live in designated ghettos (let's not forget about the reservations). Sounds like social engineering to me.

Now that I find insulting.

delboy

Dec 8, 2009, 11:52 AM

Although time waits for no one, I hope, as do several others on this page, that Lower Lonsdale will not morph into a land of super high-rises that block the exhilharating view walking down Lonsdale Hill on a sunny day, or become a yuppie haven, like Kits.

Once known as "Moodyville," this neighbourhood, despite the development right around Lonsdale Quay, still retains its original authenticity and lack of new-rich pretension.

Some of the old shipbuilding sites could be converted into markets or artists's ateliers, or, if accomodation is a top issue, converted from the inside out into apartments or condominiums, while leaving the original wooden exteriors intact.

This is a neighbourhood unlike many in the city that still has its soul, without having fallen totally into a state of decrepitude and danger. So sure, clean it up, spruce it up, but don't tear its soul out in the process.

I don't see that it's soul is being torn out. Quite frankly there's much room for improvement. I'm sure the area will make do with a few less hair salons, nail spas and thrift stores. I have noticed more litter and dog muck on the sidewalks than i ever noticed in kits. As for kits being a 'yuppie' stronghold, I lived there and didn't find that at all. Most of the place is made up of very tired low-rise rental units. West 4 th is a lot nicer to walk down though than lower lonsdale.

Looking at the price of condos on the waterfront, which are not that much cheaper than downtown, It seems that transformation is inevitable. What that transformation will be, remains to be seen.

vanman

Dec 8, 2009, 12:24 PM

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Uh, unless you're Aboriginal we are all immigrants. And there are plenty of Chinese, East Indian, and even Africans that have been born in Canada for many generations. They are all just as Canadian as anyone else born here.

trofirhen

Dec 8, 2009, 1:14 PM

I don't see that it's soul is being torn out. Quite frankly there's much room for improvement. I'm sure the area will make do with a few less hair salons, nail spas and thrift stores. I have noticed more litter and dog muck on the sidewalks than i ever noticed in kits. As for kits being a 'yuppie' stronghold, I lived there and didn't find that at all. Most of the place is made up of very tired low-rise rental units. West 4 th is a lot nicer to walk down though than lower lonsdale.

Looking at the price of condos on the waterfront, which are not that much cheaper than downtown, It seems that transformation is inevitable. What that transformation will be, remains to be seen.

You make some very good points - and I know what you mean about the excess of hair salons and nail spas ! ! !

In fact, one of the things I love most about Lonsdale is the view over the harbour when walking down the hill.

It would kill me if it were blocked by that proposed high-rise to placed right on the angle of the avenue.

I hope they keep the area immediately adjacent to Lonsdale as a view corridor. It's fantastic for that, especially when emerging from Victoria Park.

trofirhen

Dec 8, 2009, 1:29 PM

Haha, I thought you were being sarcastic (and was pretty funny) talking about Boston Pizza as bringing ethnic food to North Vancouver.

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Ehhh, by 'Canadian-born communities' I am inferring that you are talking about white people. Or maybe you're talking about North Shore's Indian Reservations?

There are many, many non-white 'Canadian-borns' out there that have lived in Vancouver for generations. The reason the North Shore has historically been non-ethnic is no accident. North Shore systematically discriminated against 'ethnics' by not letting them settle there or buy property. Chinese, Japanese, South Asians were only allowed to live in designated ghettos (let's not forget about the reservations). Sounds like social engineering to me.

Now that I find insulting.

Excuse me, but I think we're all taking this a little too seriously. I think what was meant by the North Shore finally becoming more "multicultural" was that it is less of a bastion of conservative "WASPhood" than before. But I grew up there, and even in a "veddy" English district, we had Japanese kids, Chinese kids, a girl from Jamaica, kids from all over Europe, from Sweden to Hungary to Italy, added to the traditional Scots-English base. And we had Native Canadians, too. And I'm just talking about my elementary school; high-school was more diverse.

I don't think anyone here meant any offense, and I think we're all too mature not to rise above it. Whatever our background or creed, whether immigrant or third-generation, we're all Canadian, and we know it, so please let's not get into a racial / ethnic slinging match.

Peace and goodwill to all. :yes: :cheers: ;)

Rusty Gull

Dec 8, 2009, 3:16 PM

^ I agree that Lower Lonsdale has more soul than Kits.

But I also agree that it's due for a serious clean-up. It also needs more greenspace. The City of North Vancouver has really dropped the ball in this regard.

delboy

Dec 8, 2009, 3:25 PM

You make some very good points - and I know what you mean about the excess of hair salons and nail spas ! ! !

In fact, one of the things I love most about Lonsdale is the view over the harbour when walking down the hill.

It would kill me if it were blocked by that proposed high-rise to placed right on the angle of the avenue.

I hope they keep the area immediately adjacent to Lonsdale as a view corridor. It's fantastic for that, especially when emerging from Victoria Park.

Yes I agree, that's why I moved here, for the views. Just think the area needs a bit of spit and polish.

Rusty Gull

Dec 8, 2009, 3:31 PM

Pinion

Dec 8, 2009, 5:27 PM

edit: double post

Pinion

Dec 8, 2009, 5:42 PM

Unfortunately, one of the factors that would have kick-started some fresh developments and the "spit and polish" was the third Seabus. I believe that represented a major transportation breakthrough, as it would have made Lower Lonsdale one of the most convenient neighbourhoods to live in for those working or playing downtown. Now that plan is dead, and we're back at sailings ever 15 minutes during the peak, and 30 minutes nights and weekends.

Agreed. Any time I think about the 3rd seabus cancellation it makes me mad. All my coworkers leave their house after I do to get to work and I live the closest geographically by a considerable margin.

My fiancee and I are seriously looking at buying a car again. We sold our old one and moved close to the city so we could take public transit but it's just too much of a hassle.

I won't derail the thread with the racism can of worms any more except to say I said "Canadian-born" instead of white for a reason. My fiancee is Canadian born but not white - we share the same culture. My bible-thumping cousins from the Okanagan are Canadian born and white - we do not share the same culture. It's not about race, it's about people of the same culture wanting to live together. We all deserve that choice and should not be ashamed for wanting it.

Pinion

Jan 14, 2010, 1:44 AM

NorthVancouverPolitics.com is saying CNV is finally looking at developing the park-by-default plot in the 100 block of east 1st.

About time. It looks like crap, is unusable (besides for dogs to poop in), and is prime land. I'd love to live there. Just far enough away from the noise of the major streets.

There'll be below market units too apparently.

Pinion

Jun 3, 2010, 9:52 AM

There's an info board up in front of the old farts home on 3rd and St Georges saying they want to build two new five storey market value condos there. That should really help what is an ugly stretch of road (and continue Lower Lonsdale's transition into a young happenin' hip cat's neighbourhood. I am not one of said hip cats).

Also the lot north of Esplanade theatre is finally going to be developed too. Was a crappy restaurant a long, long time ago but a gravel pit for about a decade.

jozero

Jun 4, 2010, 8:15 PM

[ Sorry for the cross post (I accidently posted this in Pier thread). ]

Is any one else going slowly insane by the shrill birds that have taken up residence in lower lonsdale ? Between 1st and 3rd, Lonsdale and Chesterfield at least two birds do a mating call or whatever it is every 10 seconds at least 20 hours of the day. Usually starts 4am.

PS. I'm not exaggerating about the 10 seconds. I've timed it, it is clock work.

trofirhen

Jun 4, 2010, 9:10 PM

Rusty Gull

Jun 5, 2010, 6:10 AM

I'd love to see some really big, authentic "tall ships" at the foot of Lonsdale to ehance that maritime feeling. The Seven Seas Restaurant is nice, but that "on the waterfront" feeling of old could perhaps be re-establsished.

(Although I doubt there are any tall ships to be had: a real shame)

The Russian tallship really added a nice feel to the Pier during the Olympics. Too bad it had to sail back to Sochi.

Given that the National Maritime Museum is toast, I wouldn't mind seeing that huge parcel of land on the waterfront turned into a public amenity along the lines of Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.

Besides the slow developments going on at the Pier, and Pinion's aforementioned developments at 3rd and St. Georges, things are pretty quiet in Lower Lonsdale. Hopefully we'll see another Henriquez supertall proposal to scare the you-know-what out of the members of the Lonsdale Citizens Coalition.

And I hope the Marriott or Hyatt or someone makes a bid for the Pinnacle Hotel soon. Wonderful facility with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, but I'm worried about the management of the operation - with flimsy signage flapping around in the wind.

Rusty Gull

Oct 6, 2010, 4:51 AM

West Second gets streetscape makeover

The City of North Vancouver plans to revitalize the 100-block of West Second Street this fall.

Greg Hoekstra photo
By Sean Kolenko - North Shore Outlook
Published: September 29, 2010 9:00 AM
Updated: September 29, 2010 9:09 AM

As part of the City of North Vancouver’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the Lower Lonsdale area, the sidewalks, curbs and parking spots of the 100-block of West Second Street will be getting a facelift this fall.

According to streetscape planner Alex Kurnicki, the city will be working on the area just west of Lonsdale Avenue, for six weeks starting Sept. 27. Plans for the area include new sidewalks on both the north and south side of the street and new angled parking stalls adjacent to Big Pete’s comic shop. The city will be repaving the block as well.

“This isn’t a complicated project, but there will be parking restrictions until the work is done. Signage will be in place and temporary sidewalks will be put in to help residents,” said Kurnicki, adding that the recent rainy weather could result in the project taking longer than expected.

Traffic bulges – rounder curbs that extend into the street further than the conventional 90-degree ones – will also be put in on the south east and north west corners of the West Second Street and Lonsdale Avenue.

Later this fall, crews will install similar bulges on the north east corner of Chesterfield Avenue and West Second Street.

The city also has plans to remove a number of cherry trees in the area, added Kurnicki.

Similar work can be expected for other areas on that street, Kurnicki said, as he anticipates the recently closed Moustache Café restaurant at 129 W. Second St. will be redeveloped and require another streetscape update.

For the duration of this project, the city is warning that construction will be taking place during permitted hours – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays – and there may be delays entering and exiting the block. Traffic control crews will be in place during the construction.

skolenko@northshoreoutlook.com

delboy

Oct 6, 2010, 5:19 AM

red-paladin

Oct 6, 2010, 7:42 AM

about time, i have been finding city council all talk and no action and have written city hall a number of times complaining about trash, dog shit and graffiti all to no avail.

Overall I have been dissapointed with my move over here and regret moving from down town

No offense, but the north shore is only good if you're a stuffy old English lady.

delboy

Oct 6, 2010, 1:51 PM

No offense, but the north shore is only good if you're a stuffy old English lady.

i m a stuffy old english man:notacrook:

wrenegade

Oct 6, 2010, 8:37 PM

The Moustache Cafe closed? Geez, they sure weren't open for that long. I suppose it's for the better though, hopefully it can be combined with the odd abandoned building just west of it to a larger parcel for development. Intracorp owns the parcel as it is, correct?

Rusty Gull

Oct 7, 2010, 5:07 AM

That abandoned building I believe was called Lonsdale Electric. I wonder if anyone, or more likely anything, is living inside?

Rusty Gull

Oct 7, 2010, 5:16 AM

Here's what happened at Moustache Cafe, by the way:

Restaurant closure leaves staff high and dry
By Jane Seyd, North Shore News

THE abrupt demise of a North Vancouver restaurant has left more than local foodies in the lurch.

Former employees of the Moustache Café say they're owed money for wages and tips that they're afraid they won't see anytime soon -- despite previous assurances from the café's owner.

"I feel completely betrayed," said Neisha Coupey, 20, who worked as a server at the upscale bistro in the Lower Lonsdale area this summer while saving for her university studies. "He said I could trust him. I don't know where he is and if I'll ever see the money I'm owed."

Sous chef Marc Hakim had a similar tale. He said he only found out the restaurant was closed when he showed up for work at the end of July and discovered the premises on 2nd Street being cleared out.

Hakim said he spoke to the owner of the restaurant, Geoff Lundholm, who told him not to worry and that he intended to make sure all the employees were paid the money they were owed. "I haven't heard from him since," he said.

Both Coupey and Hakim said later attempts to contact Lundholm have been unsuccessful. "I tried to call him about 20 times and he never called me," said Coupey.

Coupey said she's owed between $600 and $1,000, while Hakim said he's owed about $2,000.

Coupey said she feels especially bad for the head chef at the restaurant, who has been away on his honeymoon and only found out about the closure through emails from other workers.

Others who worked at the restaurant have also been left in a lurch, said Coupey.

In hindsight, she said, she should have realized trouble was brewing. Business was slow, she said, and she sometimes received last-minute text messages from the owner, telling her she wasn't needed for her shift.

Occasionally while working at the restaurant she also found herself fielding calls from creditors.

"I should have left long before all this happened," she said.

Coupey said Lundholm called her on July 27 to tell her not to come into work because the restaurant was shutting down. Two days later, when she went down to talk to him in person with her father, she found the premises being cleared out. "He promised to pay her back wages and tips in the next two days," said Pierre Coupey. The next day, the promise was amended to pay by the following Tuesday. "We shook hands and eyeballed each other," said Coupey's father.

That was the last they heard from Lundholm. Calls to him from the North Shore News were not returned.

Hakim, who moved from Calgary to work at the café, said abrupt endings aren't unheard of in the restaurant business. "It does happen from time to time," he said.

Both Coupey and Hakim say they plan to file claims for their owed wages with the province's Employment Standards Branch. Once that's done, the province will investigate to see how much employees are owed and will attempt to collect the cash from company directors through a court order if needed. If no assets are left, however, employees still won't end up getting paid.

For now the closure leaves Hakim, "unemployed and looking for work," he said.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

http://www.nsnews.com/news/Restaurant+closure+leaves+staff+high/3401131/story.html#ixzz11eBVD7mg

wrenegade

Oct 7, 2010, 4:32 PM

I went to the open house for the "Foot of Lonsdale Waterfront Planning Study" last night. Bit of a shit show. Anyways, planning area below:

http://www.cnv.org/c//data/2/338/FootOfLonsdaleStudyArea.jpg

credit: CoNV website

More details on this project/study can be found here:

http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=2&i=338

The CoNV is looking to redevelop the parking lot/PGE railway museum site as well as look at the future of the Cates Tug maintenance facility. The study was undertaken mainly because the pier which the parking lot sits on was built at the turn of the century and requires replacement. Washington Marine Group's lease (from the City) on their Cates Tug maintenance facility is up and is overholding. They may or may not have a future at this location. Currently there is only one heritage building on the site and that is the PGE railway house. The site is zoning for 2.6 FSR but the City has no intention of developing the site close to that size and will likely sell the extra density at a later date.

The general vision is to turn the parking lot at the foot of Lonsdale into a public plaza and maintain the view corridor all the way down Lonsdale to the water. Most people would also like to see the seawall (Spirit Trail) continued in front of the Cates Tug building and connected to the Lonsdale Quay boardwalk. The City would like to provide some retail space here to provide more restaurants and add liveliness to the area. They were however, open to anything. Storyboards contained everything from restaurants to museums to park (green) space.

Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden and PWL landscape architects were on hand taking suggestions from residents and drawing up sketches to submit to the working group. My personal suggestions were for the continuation of the seawall along the waterfront to connect with the boardwalk, moving the PGE house closer to the water (on the same site) and constructing a new 1.5/2 storey building with a rooftop patio for restaurant retail use. I also said a fountain at the foot of Lonsdale would be pretty cool. I was quickly overwhelmed by a gaggle of retired busybodies who started proposed floating parks, removal of the Cates Tug building (it's ugly), but retention of the tugs themselves (people like looking at Tugs!), possibly a marine, oooh and a streetcar! And not running up Lonsdale, no this streetcar would provide a 2 block ride from the Seabus terminal to the foot of Lonsdale. No joke. Shit show. I left after this (had to go to the Wesgroup NSCU open house anyway).

Whatever does happen here looks to be pretty good. More forumers (and younger people in general) have to make it out to these things and let their comments be heard. The bulk of the people at these events have no concept of money, let alone any sort of planning that makes rational sense.

wrenegade

Oct 8, 2010, 5:35 PM

Went to the public info session for 222-238 Lonsdale (Subway/Kingston Cafe/Futon Place) last night. Nobody was there (not very good communication). Anyways, the building will be 4-5 storeys (5 at 3rd, 4 towards the south part of the site). 62 residential units and 18,000 sq. ft of retail space (I think, that number is correct). The retail space will be strata, and some of the units will have very high ceilings (20+ feet and have free mezz space). Unfortunately the developer (Intracorp) doesn't have any info online right now but the building looks great. Lots of dark red brick, stucco only on the lane side. Two penthouses will have sick patios and south facing views and a number of 2nd floor units on the east side will have some wicked patios as well. A number of the 2 bedroom units have an interior bedroom which allows for really open kitchen/living area plans. I think the building is a home run. Current zoning allows for either 2.3 or 2.5 FSR and Intracorp wants to rezone for 3.09 FSR, but does not need the OCP height to be amended. I don't think there is anything to complain about here, hopefully the Kingston Cafe can afford to move somewhere else, apparently the place is popular.

wrenegade

Jan 6, 2011, 12:51 AM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5328823426_16d5286aea_b.jpg

As a neighbour, I got an info package under my door (from NIMBYs in my building wanting to block the development) and scanned the rendering for the forum. Can't seem to find any info online about it, I find the City of North Van's website extremely difficult to navigate. Anyways, some details as follows:

Existing Zoning: LL-2
Proposed Zoning: CD-599
OCP Designation: Town Centre - Mixed Use (2.6 FSR)
Proposal: Commercial Retail Units and 62 Residential Units

Site Area Total: 20,304 sq. ft.
Gross Floor Area: 52,790 sq. ft. + 10,154 density transfer
- proposed exclusions: 1,000 sq. ft. (community amenity exclusion), 2,000 sq. ft. (mezzanine exclusion)
Height: 58'0" (LL-2 Max 40', OCP max 60')
Off Street Parking: 86 stalls (70 residential, 15 commercial, 1 community amenity)

Overall I think it's a great sized development for the area. The CRUs along Lonsdale are neat as many will have high ceilings and some will have mezz space. The NIMBYs in my building are nuts, they would lose most of their views with a 40' building anyway, and too bad really, 3rd & Lonsdale is busy and the development fits the OCP beautifully. My guess is that community amenity parking stall is a car share stall too, which would be great for the neighbourhood. I say bring on the density.

Spork

Jan 6, 2011, 7:48 AM

Looks pretty nice. Any idea if it is concrete or wood? I'm assuming concrete, but don't know how developers usually choose. I suppose if it has retail it would almost always be concrete?

Pinion

Jan 6, 2011, 8:26 AM

Looks exactly like The Landing down the hill, but a lot better than the crap currently there. Can't wait. Yimby!

wrenegade

Jan 6, 2011, 5:51 PM

Looks pretty nice. Any idea if it is concrete or wood? I'm assuming concrete, but don't know how developers usually choose. I suppose if it has retail it would almost always be concrete?

The retail portion would be concrete regardless, unsure of whether or not the rest of project would be concrete/wood. There is an info meeting in my building (unsure if it is public or not) on Monday, I'll try and get more details then.

CameronT120

Jan 6, 2011, 5:54 PM

If the NIMBYs are objecting to a modest proposal like that, I hope that Council chastises them roundly for it, during the public hearing.

Coldrsx

Jan 6, 2011, 9:26 PM

^exactly... that is a quality looking development in context with the area and of good design.

CameronT120

Jan 7, 2011, 12:18 AM

There is an info meeting in my building (unsure if it is public or not) on Monday, I'll try and get more details then.

You should invite the developer or Architect to come with you to represent their interests!:haha:

wrenegade

Jan 21, 2011, 12:37 AM

There is a Foot of Lonsdale Planning Study Open House this evening at John Braithwaite Community Centre from 6pm-8pm. We need more pro-development minded people there!

CameronT120

Jan 21, 2011, 6:37 PM

More news on the Onni development proposal at 13th and Lonsdale. Unfortunately, the online version doesn't appear to have a picture of the rendering that was shown in the print version.

http://www.nsnews.com/business/highrises+proposed+Lonsdale+13th+Safeway/4143592/story.html

CameronT120

Jan 21, 2011, 6:44 PM

Presentation boards for the Lonsdale & 13th proposal from the CNV site:

http://www.cnv.org/attach/2011%2001%2017%20item%2011del.pdf

http://www.cnv.org/attach/2011%2001%2017%20item%2011%20attach%2002.pdf

officedweller

Jan 21, 2011, 10:50 PM

Thanks for posting

Those are massive CRUs on the 2nd and 3rd floors! A Wal-Mart could move in there!

I don't like the way the tower on 14th St. has a lower podium than the 13th St. side of the project, especially with what looks like a blank wall on the north side of the podium.

CameronT120

Jan 21, 2011, 11:14 PM

Hopefully the plan is for something a little more upscale than a Wal-mart! I think I'd prefer to see the towers set back from the facade of the podium along 13th street. There needs to be a transition, otherwise the massing is going to be quite shocking.

jozero

Jan 26, 2011, 6:51 AM

Interesting letter to home owners around Low Road. My in laws got the letter, I didn't receive the same in lower Lonsdale.

___
Low Level Road Improvement Project

Its the Port, Translink and City of North Van.

- eliminate at grade rail crossings including St. Patrick and St Andrew.
- realign road to address congestion and safety
- provide dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks
- enhance spirit trail including grade-seperated crossing at 3rd street.

February 10th community meeting
5.30 - 8.30 Pinnacle hotel
___

Good stuff. I hope Esplanade retains its interesting mix of mechanic shops and light industrial near low level road. Its great to hear they are making some improvements to that area. The connection from the Pier part of the Spirit Trail along Esplanade to the trail by the Low Road is especially poor.

wrenegade

Jan 26, 2011, 5:23 PM

Good stuff. I hope Esplanade retains its interesting mix of mechanic shops and light industrial near low level road. Its great to hear they are making some improvements to that area. The connection from the Pier part of the Spirit Trail along Esplanade to the trail by the Low Road is especially poor.

Thanks for posting this, I also didn't get any letter (at 3rd & Lonsdale). The area of Low Level Road/Esplanade between St. Patricks and St. Georges is lousy, especially the Spirit Trail connection. I run down there all the time, looking forward to having a better trail. I wonder if they'll add a separated pedestrian crossing?

Pinion

Jan 26, 2011, 5:55 PM

"enhance spirit trail including grade-seperated (sic) crossing at 3rd street."

What exactly does that mean for 3rd st? Just a raised or lowered trail? And how far along 3rd?

I didn't get that notice either and I live on 3rd.

wrenegade

Jan 26, 2011, 6:53 PM

What exactly does that mean for 3rd st? Just a raised or lowered trail? And how far along 3rd?

My guess would be an elevated crossing here:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Vancouver,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia,+Canada&ll=49.308417,-123.053554&spn=0.002046,0.005681&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=49.308415,-123.053654&panoid=qiV_e00373AoTn2HHhYPvg&cbp=12,102.69,,0,9.96

Just a guess though. Also, for those who don't know, the hill here is no longer 2 lanes westbound/1 lane eastbound, it is 1 lane in either direction since they added bike lanes. I was quite disappointed as I HATE getting stuck behind buses going up the hill. I don't drive it all that often so I guess I can't complain too much.

Pinion

Jan 27, 2011, 1:56 AM

What sort of crazy biker goes up/down that hill rather than go down St Andrews to the waterfront and ride the flat road by the rail tracks? I don't think I've ever seen a bike on that hill.

jozero

Jan 27, 2011, 7:12 AM

Oh wow, if they are hoping to start the 3rd street crossing it would be a huge step for the Spirit Trail. The original Spirit Trail plans call for two bridges. One is being constructed now over the CN tracks where Welch meets 1st street. The other is at 3rd where Spirit trail ends abruptly. The Spirit Trail vision is to go all the way to Deep Cove, and the documents also mentions the original North Vancouver plan of the 'green necklace' joining quite a few of the parks. The crossing at 3rd would go a long way towards both goals.

Pinion I've biked that hill. This is what is exciting about biking, it makes whats mundane in a car absolutely a thrill or a great hard work out.... but yeah truthfully mostly I wimp out and go on the low road.

wrenegade

Feb 11, 2011, 5:30 PM

The public hearing for 222-238 Lonsdale (The Versatile Building) was held last night. I wasn't able to stay for the whole thing, but saw all the the developer's presentation. I can honestly say I have never seen a developer (Intracorp) go so far out of their way to cater to individuals who are going to be affected by this development. They went as far as going into people's suites in my building (The Calypso), taking photographs and using them to mock up the view impact. They also did shadow studies with 3D modelling and pinpointed the exact start and end dates/times (November 3rd and 3pm and February 10th at 4pm) when the building across the street will be affected by the proposed building's shadow. Basically all the people's objections are ridiculous. The massive 280' Observatory building on West 2nd casts a much larger shadow than this one.

As for changes to the building, Intracorp has lowered the rooftop parapet wall by 3' in one area and is using a more expensive elevator solution to put most of the mechanical equipment in the basement of the parkade and has lowered the mechanical penthouse by 9'. The overall building height has been reduced 1' to 57'. I think it's a great looking building and I hope it goes through. It's too bloody bad for the half dozen people who are losing their view because this is a 5 storey building instead of a 4. Makes me furious this people.

Anyways, if you live in the neighbourhood, I urge you to write staff and council and express your support for the proposal.

Jocelyne Piercy (staff):
jpiercey@cnv.org
Attn Mayor Mussatto and Council:
info@cnv.org

jozero

Feb 11, 2011, 6:47 PM

The open house for the low road re-alignment was also last night. It was put on by the City and had a brochure and boards explaining the changes. After a seeing a picture of the changes it is much more radical than I originally thought.

The plan is to elevate the entire low road providing a raised barrier between the trains and the road. This will also help prevent the flooding of the road. The plan is also to widen it to have better sidewalks and bike paths. There will be three bridges built then for the dock/train workers. Nice thing about this is it would open that swatch of unused land right by the water up for access. Lastly this proposal would realign and actually remove some of the work done for the spirit train in favor of a bike path that goes along the road.
Essentially, it looks like they want to turn Low Road into a higher profile through fare, likely to reduce the congestion on 3rd as the population density increases.

As an aside. The room was rather packed, but packed with 'grey hairs'. Obviously they should have their say, but its important people of all ages show up. When I walk around lower North Vancouver I see younger people and younger families, where were they? If you do read this forum and are of a younger age consider going to these input meetings. It doesn't matter what you write down at these community meetings, it just matters that you say it.

FountainHead2

Feb 17, 2011, 7:07 AM

The proposed Low Level Road Improvement Project will address noise pollution problems caused by train whistling at 3 uncontrolled crossings in Lower Lonsdale. The proposal is to close these 3 crossings and build 2 overpasses for vehicles to access waterfront businesses. Closing the uncontrolled crossings will improve the overall safety of the area and eliminate the need for train whistling. See http://northvanrailrant.com/ for how rail noise has affected local residents.

wrenegade

Feb 17, 2011, 5:02 PM

^Thanks for that FountainHead. The website provided links to PMV and CNV respective websites that had info I had never seen before.

Port of Metro Vancouver:

http://portmetrovancouver.com/en/projects/ongoing_projects/NorthShoreTradeArea/LowLevelRoadImprovementProject.aspx

City of North Vancouver:

http://www.cnv.org/attach/2010%2012%2013%20item%2011del.pdf

jozero

Feb 18, 2011, 6:58 AM

Its nice to get road improvements but The Port isn't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. The plan is to push the new road a little north (there is a single road there currently in the middle of nowhere), this will allow The Port to add 2 new tracks. Also its hard to tell but the road is being elevated quite a bit. I'd say over 10 meters. If they also include a sound wall which more than likely will be needed to reduce road noise it will effect some views.

wrenegade

Feb 18, 2011, 4:19 PM

It's a pretty steep hill there, I'm not sure that there will be any views blocked, even with a sound wall (which I don't think is necessary). Unfortunately it looks like the timeline for completion isn't until 2014 so we have quite a wait for this.

wrenegade

Mar 1, 2011, 5:27 PM

Was anyone at the council meeting last night and know if Intracorp's rezoning variance passed? I spaced out and totally missed it, thought the meeting was next monday. Anyone?

Smooth

Mar 1, 2011, 6:28 PM

I'm moving into Lower Lonsdale today. I don't have a great view of downtown but I do have an epic view of Stanley Park to the Lions. I'll post some pictures when I get a sunny clear day.

Pinion

Mar 2, 2011, 3:23 AM

Welcome to the 'hood. Now that I have a car again (2011 Mazda2) I love it here. :) Commute just went from 45-60 minutes to 15-20 minutes. Zoom zoom indeed.

wrenegade

Mar 2, 2011, 11:34 PM

I think? Intracorp's Versatile Building proposal was passed? I don't really understand all the council gobbledygook. There was an amendment to reduce average building height from 58' to 52', with exceptions for the corner parapet wall and mechanical appurtenance , but looking closer at the plans the proposal called for 53' in the first place? I don't know. Perhaps someone can read these documents better than I.

222-238 Lonsdale application (http://www.cnv.org/attach/2010%2012%2013%20item%2015%20Lonsdale-222-238.pdf)

CNV February 28th, 2011 Council Minutes (http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/1/88/2011%2002%2028%20REGULAR%20COUNCIL%20MEETING%20MINUTES.PDF)

allan_kuan

Mar 3, 2011, 4:47 AM

Not passed... seems like it's been moved on to a third reading at the next council meeting? =S I don't see mention in the council notes of it actually passing.