I think a good compromise would be to develop between the viaducts, the space between (a development like Toronto's Maple Leaf Square next to the ACC would be quite ideal)....especially the massive lot east of GM Place just across the street. And the Canucks should definitely get going with their office/hotel tower as part of the GM Place complex.
Maple Leaf Square
According to MLSE (though others sources cite slightly different figures), the two glass and precast concrete towers will be 65 stories, containing 872 residential units, a 169-room Hotel LeGermain Boutique Hotel, 230,000 square feet (21,000 m2) of office space, 110,000 square feet (10,000 m2) of retail space, a 7,000-square-foot (650 m2) daycare centre, a High-Definition theatre that will broadcast Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV 24-hours a day, and four levels of underground parking with nearly 900 spaces. The retail complex will include a Longo's grocery, a 24,000-square-foot (2,200 m2) sports bar, a sports retail store, and a fine dining restaurant.[2] For residents, there will be a rooftop garden and swimming pool.
The developments between the viaducts would go a very long way to fill the void. And the viaducts could also be given some aesthetic improvements....it'll go a long way. For instance, some special lighting like what we're doing for the Canada Line guideway on No.3 Road or the Cambie Bridge lighting.
