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VANCOUVER — Granville Street is slated for a major transformation after Vancouver City Council approved, with amendments, a plan to upgrade the area into a safer, more vibrant destination.

“This plan marks the beginning of Granville Street’s next chapter,” said Mayor Ken Sim in a statement. “It’s about creating a vibrant, fun space and supporting the local businesses, restaurants, and venues that bring it to life. Granville has long been an iconic part of our downtown core, and we’re committed to making it thrive again.”

In 2023, council voted to support the launch of the the Granville Street Planning Program to revitalize the area. After a multi-year engagement process city staff shared the proposed directions for the plan with the public in early 2025 and received for its overall vision.

It highlights three priority directions, the city notes, which are as follows:

• Entertainment core: Focused on arts, culture, nightlife, outdoor performances and hospitality venues.
• City centre: A civic and commercial hub with new mixed-use residential developments, anchored by a central destination public plaza for gatherings and events.
• Bridgehead: A quieter mixed-use area that connects Granville Street with nearby neighbourhoods and allows for new residential developments alongside commercial and cultural spaces.

The public space and pedestrian-only zones will start with seasonal pedestrianization and expand overtime as other changes and street improvements progress. 

There will also be transit improvements to support pedestrianization of the street as buses are re-routed to Seymour and Howe Streets.

Safety is also a large part of the plan, with change in the area supported by a District Management Plan, developed in collaboration with partners to address the area’s evolving needs including enhanced services, safety initiatives and co-ordinated programming, the release adds.

Overall, the Granville Street Plan will be implemented through an adaptable phased approach.