Davie Village Public Space Improvements Phase 2: April 2015 Conceptual Design Options Questionnaire Summary
Background In April 2015, City of Vancouver staff, with design consultant PFS Studio, hosted two public open houses to share the preliminary design concepts for public space improvements in Davie Village. We invited the public to help us create an inviting, dynamic permanent plaza at Davie and Bute Streets which celebrates the local LGBTQ community, as well as other public space improvements in the Heart of Davie Village. Three preliminary design concepts for the plaza and complementary design concepts for the other public space improvements were presented for public feedback. The open houses were well attended, with over 600 people dropping by on the afternoon of Saturday, April 25th and the evening of Tuesday April 27th. In total, we received 299 online and hard-copy questionnaires. The responses are summarized in the following document.
Plaza Concept 1: Abstracted Preliminary Plan View: Preliminary Model View:
Questions: 1a. Keeping in mind the three (3) plaza concepts are preliminary and are meant to illustrate options for the character of the space, please indicate your overall opinion of each plaza concept: 1b. What are your favourite design features in the plaza concept? (e.g. landscaping, seating/tables, lighting, colour, paving and materials, decorative overhead feature at Bute/Davie intersection): Results: 4 36.1% 3 27.8% 2 1 14.0% 10.4% 7.7% 64% supported the design concept Other concepts had elements which could be incorporated particularly benches and lighting from Concept 2 Most preferred paving Most Common Responses: Positive Like the shape and feel of integrated planting and seating Like flow and organic, natural feel Support for weather protection Like tree uplighting Like overhead element Like paving Negative Needs tables Seating needs back support Concerns re: longevity / look of weather protection clouds Some non-support for lighting and overhead element
Plaza Concept 2: Linear Preliminary Plan View: Preliminary Model View:
Questions: 2a. Keeping in mind the three (3) plaza concepts are preliminary and are meant to illustrate options for the character of the space, please indicate your overall opinion of each plaza concept: 2b. What are your favourite design features in the plaza concept? (e.g. landscaping, seating/tables, lighting, colour, paving and materials, decorative overhead feature at Bute/Davie intersection): Results: 4 3 30.1% 22.4% 22.4% 2 1 10.7% 10.7% 53% supported the design concept Strong support for lighting and benches from this concept, but overall too formal / linear Most Common Responses: Positive Most preferred lighting concept Most preferred seating benches and backs variety and integrated planting Moveable furniture supported Kiosk well supported Openness / flow provides flexibility Deconstructed rainbow supported Negative Too linear / dull / formal / unwelcoming Needs more weather protection Tables and seating need to dissuade camping
Plaza Concept 3: Sinuous Preliminary Plan View: Preliminary Model View:
Questions: 3a. Keeping in mind the three (3) plaza concepts are preliminary and are meant to illustrate options for the character of the space, please indicate your overall opinion of each plaza concept: 3b. What are your favourite design features in the plaza concept? (e.g. landscaping, seating/tables, lighting, colour, paving and materials, decorative overhead feature at Bute/Davie intersection): Results: 4 3 26.2% 24.2% 2 18.8% 13.4% 12.8% 1 40% supported the design concept Mixed support for curved benches (30 support vs 20 non-support) Mixed support for overhead element many noted it would be a better fit at the VAG North Plaza Mixed support on colour shown Most Common Responses: Positive Tree protection and greenery Use of colour Negative Lack of communal seating Seating needs to be more permeable Design looks dated Needs tables Seating needs back support
Plaza Concepts Additional Questions and Results: 4. What additional features, if any, would you like to see in this plaza, beyond what is shown in the concepts? Most common responses: Water feature / fountain Tables + seating with backs Drinking fountain / dog water station More planting / trees / greenspace Moveable furniture More weather protection Children s play elements Expanded patios Garbage bins Space for buskers No disco ball 5. How could the plaza commemorate Jim Deva s life and legacy and celebrate the history and contributions of Vancouver s LGBTQ community? Most common responses: Commemorative plaques with photos and explanations of events / accomplishments Naming the Plaza for Jim Deva and associated signage Public art Statue / sculpture / mural of Jim Deva Rainbow colours Should be tasteful Quotes or timeline in the ground Water feature
Bute Street North Preliminary Plan View: Questions: 6. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for Bute Street, north of Davie Street: Comments:
Results: 4 34.1% 3 25.4% 2 21.1% 1 5.0% 5.4% 60% supported the design concept Most Common Responses: Support Non-support Missing Elements Covered seating and tables Plaza bulge on Davie Support permanent closure of Wider sidewalks restricting traffic to 1 lane North side between Davie and Pedestrian protection at Noise impacts the lane laneway Maintenance More street trees / greenery More colour Bike permeability Design connection between north and south
Bute Street South Preliminary Plan View: Questions: 7. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for Bute Street, south of the plaza to Burnaby Street: Comments:
Results: 4 3 31.4% 2 22.4% 20.7% 1 6.4% 8.4% 54% supported the design concept Support for removal of the cul-de-sac was evenly split in the written comments Most Common Responses: Support Non-support Missing Elements Maintain trees Concerns re: security / safety Seating with backs More lighting / drugs Close south section as well Wider sidewalks Traffic impacts More landscaping Noise Cleanliness
Mid-block Crossing Preliminary Plan View: Questions: 8. Please indicate your overall opinion of the design concept for the mid-block pedestrian crossing: Comments:
Results: 4 36.5% 3 2 21.7% 17.1% 1 6.0% 8.7% 58% supported the design concept Most Common Responses: Support Non-support Missing Elements Significant support for Concerns re: traffic impacts Needs signals overall concept Parking removal Need more in village
Final Thoughts Question and Results: 9. Did we miss anything important to you? Do you have anything further to add? Most Common Responses: The plaza should include: Policing and safety Maintenance guaranteed high level Bright, safe lighting Garbage / recycling facilities Children s play elements Tables for programming Lots of colour Greenspace Other - Positive Plaza should help build community Improvements should extend through the village shouldn t: Impact traffic Support camping / negative uses Include a discoball Negative Repaint pink street furniture Mini-parks need more maintenance
Demographics Questions and Results: 10. What is your connection to the West End? 6 5 4 50.2% 34.8% Rent in the neighbourhood Own and live in the neighbourhood Own in the neighbourhood but live elsewhere 3 Live outside of the neighbourhood 2 1 0.3% 8.0% 12.7% 4.3% 8.7% Work in the neighbourhood Own a business in the neighbourhood Other (please specify) 11. What age group do you belong to? 5 4 39.4% 3 28.1% 25.1% 2 1 1.3% 19 or under 20 to 39 40-59 60-79 80+
12. Do you primarily identify as: 6 5 51.9% 4 38.1% 3 2 1 0.4% 0.9% 2.2% Female Male Transgendered Other Prefer not to say