Close 800-block of Robson Street permanently to traffic, says Vancouver report

Vancouver could permanently close the 800-block of Robson Street if a new report from city staff is approved by councillors next week.

On Wednesday the city released a report that recommended transforming the space between Robson Square and the Vancouver Art Gallery into a permanent public plaza.

"City staff and our partners have assessed the transportation trade-offs for creating a permanent plaza on this block and have concluded that they are manageable and are consistent with council-approved direction to provide better quality streets for our highest priority mode of transportation: pedestrians," said the report.

The report notes turning the street into a public plaza is in keeping with architect Arthur Erickson's original design for the Robson Square complex. The design of the plaza would have to be worked out with the art gallery, which is also redesigning its plaza on the north side of the gallery, the report notes.

Because of construction planned for the area this summer, there will be no public art installation, but the street will be closed to traffic and moveable tables and chair will be put out. The block is a popular spot for food trucks and carts.

The street was first closed in 2010 in order to create a gathering space for pedestrians during the Olympics. It was later closed in the summerand used forannual public art installations. In 2012, councillors asked city staff to investigate closing the block permanently.