Help design 1300-block of Marine Drive
West Vancouver residents will have the opportunity to contribute their design ideas to the future redevelopment of the 1300-block of Marine Drive in two artist-led workshops this weekend.
Hosted by Grosvenor, the company that owns the majority of the private lands on the aforementioned block, the Ideas Fair will be a forum for those interested to share concepts with visual artists who will compile all suggestions and create colour sketches of the area. The concept is known as co-design, a method championed by Vancouver-based architect Stanley King.
The initial phase of the block’s redevelopment will focus on the long-vacant former Imperial Oil site.
Michael Mortensen, senior development manager for Grosvenor, told The Outlook his organization does not yet have formal plans for the derelict property, but said at a conceptual level the company does envision street-level retail units with residences above.
“We want ideas on uses, character, everything, for the area,” said Mortensen.
“The key for us is to come to the public before doing any planning. We really want everyone to contribute.”
Grosvenor has entered into an agreement with the district to purchase the land where the police station currently stands as well as the parking lot located behind the block. The West Van police station is part of the district’s sweeping AmblesideNow plan.
Grosvenor’s project, stressed Mortensen, is separate of that. Some of the other ideas for the area are landscaping, new trees and a sculpture on the northwest corner of the Imperial site and a blue-tree installation by Australian artist Konstantin Dimopoulos on the south end.
The Ideas Fair is at the West Vancouver Community Centre on April 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Register with Julia Reimer at 604-731-9053 (ext. 101) or jreimer@brookpooni.com.
skolenko@northshoreoutlook.com
twitter.com/seankolenko
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