Carlito Pablo, for The Georgia Straight, on March 16th, 2017
CHAPC chair Helen Lee said that many committee members appreciate the design and materials chosen for the project, which reflect the industrial history of Keefer Street.
Keefer Street was once a timber wharf, and the neighbourhood of the B.C. Electric Railway, a utility company that provided heat and power to the city.
Lee, an urban planner, also said that several committee members saw merit in the developer’s plan to put commercial units at the side and back of the proposed building, which activate the laneway.
However, according to Lee, there were concerns about the affordability of the future condos.
“The applicant stated that these units were intended to be served on the higher end,” Lee told the Straight by phone.
Lee noted that owners of expensive condos aren’t expected to go to the local vegetable or meat shops in Chinatown that form part of the fabric of the historic neighbourhood.
“Occupants would not necessarily be helping the local businesses, and it may actually even displace some of the more traditional businesses by newer business, right, that would cater to this population,” Lee said.
As for the dragons, Lee recalled, in reference to Atkin, that a member referred to this aspect of the project as “intentional Chinessness”.
“It’s like putting in symbols or emblems or things that, you know, people perceive as being Chinese, but it’s almost to the point where its fake,” Lee explained. “It doesn’t seem authentic.”
Members of the public have until April 7, 2017 to submit their comments about the project to the City of Vancouver.
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