The municipality was unanimous in its desire to continue providing people with places such as the emerging square on Cambie Street and 17th Avenue to consume alcohol legally. Cambie Street was one of six venues that opened last year between May and October. The program stemmed from the municipality’s concern in the early days of the pandemic that companies serving alcohol were harmed by public health restrictions. The Municipality also wanted to open spaces for people to consume alcohol who did not have access to private outdoor areas or could not afford to dine outside on a patio. “Someone like me does not feel uncomfortable drinking a beer in public, but others do,” Coun said. said Michael Wiebe. “Recognizing my privilege of being able to experience alcohol in public compared to others, this is a great way to move forward so that more people feel comfortable.” In addition to Cambie Street, the other five locations were on Robson Street outside the Gallery, Fraser and 27th, Granville and 13th, Granville and 14th, and Maple and Fourth.
No problem with the program
Rachel Magnusson, director of the city’s branch for street activities, told the council that neither the Vancouver Police Department nor Vancouver Coastal Health had expressed concerns about last year’s program and locations. “We may not hear about all the health and safety issues in the squares, but certainly from the perspective of our partners and ourselves, there did not seem to be any problems,” said Magnusson, noting that the survey yielded 92% satisfaction. a hundred. rate with the program. He also stressed that the monitoring of the squares by the city showed that only about 20% of the people consumed alcohol. Magnusson said the “main purpose” of the program was to provide “low-cost flexible options for socialization”. He credited the success of the project to business improvement associations and others who managed the sites and ensured that on-site toilets were available and locked at the end of the day.
“San Cadillac”
Wshrooms was an issue raised by Coun. Adriane Carr, who visited all six squares last year. “I noticed that the toilets were different,” said Carr. “So the toilet I liked the most – and I saw people commenting – was the one on the 17th and Cambie. “I’m not sure who determines what a portable toilet is, but it was like a Cadillac.” Magnusson credited the Cambie Business Improvement Association for the toilet. The approval of the Municipality on Wednesday now gives the green light to business improvement associations, non-profit groups, community groups and others to apply for an agreement with the city to manage a website and ensure that it is’ maintained, without exclusions and comfortable”. The city has not said how many sites will be open this year, but any proposals will be submitted to the police and health authority before returning to the city council for approval.
Drinks at Downtown Eastside
The council also agreed on Wednesday to an amendment by the Coun. Jean Swanson will ask staff to consult the Vancouver District Drug Users Network and the Eastside Illicit Drinkers Group for Education about setting up an “outdoor drinking area with colleagues in Downtown Eastside as a form of alcohol harm reduction.” . The drinks team has suggested Oppenheimer Park. Earlier in the meeting, the council unanimously approved the extension of the provision allowing a park at 111 Princess Ave. continue to operate as a site for a Community Alcohol Management and Harm Reduction Program managed by the Portland Hotel Society. “The parklet was introduced as part of a broader Community Harm Reduction Initiative to bring community partners closer together to provide a more welcoming and secure public infrastructure for illegal drinkers in Downtown Eastside,” a staff report said, noting that the park was created to reduce alcohol consumption. at the bus stop near the Astoria Hotel. Meanwhile, the park council is considering allowing people to legally drink alcohol in selected parks this year as well. The experiment in 22 parks last year went “super well,” Park commissioner Dave Demers in Vancouver Is Awesome said in February. [email protected] @Howellings
