Opinion: Historic Chinatown becoming Yaletown North?

Opinion: Historic Chinatown becoming Yaletown North?

Elizabeth Murphy, on May 20, 2017

The late architect Joe Wai fought to save Chinatown from the freeway and urban renewal in 1971. He went on to design many Chinatown landmarks, including the garden and museum.

“As it is now clear that we don’t want what is being built, the 105 Keefer Street rezoning becomes the ‘line in the sand’ if we, Vancouver (not just little Chinatown), would like some form of character as a city, besides the God-given mountains and inlets,” Wai said.

Former premier Mike Harcourt said Vancouver’s historic Chinatown is “teetering on the brink” and this one huge bulky building is causing particular alarm since the high-end condominium proposal would tower over the area.

“Development should re-energize and revitalize Chinatown, but not overwhelm it. This building dwarfs all of the heritage buildings of the Chinese community along Pender Street and it’s just too much,” Harcourt said.

Original article here