A 21st-Century Plan Greets Vancouver’s Historic Thoroughfare
Economic and social factors, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, have created new realities for downtown main streets like Vancouver’s once-grand Granville Street. The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) asked Resonance to help articulate a strategy and a vision for the Granville Street Entertainment District and the Granville Street corridor in order to accelerate the recovery of local businesses and plan for long term resilience.
Our team engaged with key stakeholders, city representatives, and local businesses to better understand current challenges and explore new development opportunities. In parallel, a commercial inventory and community survey informed us of the evolution of Granville Street’s urban fabric and reputation. A future forum then brought together all stakeholders to shape a common vision that would make Granville Street a gathering place and destination for culture and events, a street of belonging and celebration for all.
The strategic plan sets out recommendations to help Granville Street adapt and thrive as a vibrant main street that will build a strong creative ecosystem and create a diverse and resilient local economy. To encourage a 24-hour economy, the plan includes welcoming more festivals, including Downtown’s Urban Street Festival; becoming a dining destination with Vancouver’s first restaurant row; embracing community-building and placemaking; and attracting innovative and creative companies.
