Resources

Vancouver City Council Elections November 2022:

CANDIDATE SURVEY: FULL RESULTS
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL Candidates who responded to our survey. Click on link above to see full responses.

UBC PLAN 522 Research Project

Point Grey Town Centre: Charting Neighborhood Changes and Area Revitalization

Background: The Point Grey Village Centre (four blocks from Tolmie to Discovery St.) has one of the highest commercial vacancy rates in the City of Vancouver. Closure of the anchor grocery chain Safeway in July 2018 has caused considerable economic stress in the area. The confluence of several factors — increased e-commerce, retail on UBC campus,rising property taxes, rising commercial property values, etc. — affecting business activity in some retail sectors more than others, need to be understood in the context of wider neighborhood, City and economic changes since the early 2000s.

Research Goals, Questions and Objectives: This proposed research aims to chart local neighborhood changes, density, demographic, and socio-economic dynamics, in relation to broader City planning, taxation, in the last two decades with the goal of examining potential pathways to this commercial area’s revitalization for the greater public good and local community sustainability.

See full presentation by UBC class, March 10, 2022

Specifically, it addresses two primary research questions with related sub-questions:

(1) What are the broader patterns of neighborhood changes and City-Neighborhood dynamics affecting
(a) local consumer demand for goods and services, and
(b) local businesses’ commercial viability and vitality?
(a) What has been the City’s policy approach on the Village’s stewardship, including the City’s recent approach to neighbourhood centres, and lessons that can be learned from other neighbourhood centres in the City?
(b) What relevant demographic changes in the neighborhood have been shaping local consumption, businesses and services demand patterns?
(c) What has been the local Business Improvement Association’s (BIA) strategy to assist the village, what are its measurable successes, and what can be learned, if any from other BIAs?
(d) What roles do non- commercial uses, e.g. library, and missing housing choice forms, e.g. for young families with school-age children, seniors, empty nesters, play in the health of the village?

(2) What is the Town Centre’s significance to the broader Point Grey Neighborhood as Vancouver recovers from the current pandemic, expands the UBC-Broadway Line transit corridor (currently a low priority for TransLink), and develop the nearby Jericho Lands?
(a) What competitive advantages does the Village have compared to other retail areas, and the strengths it could be capitalized on during revitalization?
(b) What are the range of neighbourhood needs that could be filled to avoid travel outside the neighbourhood?
(c) How can the village become more attractive for the nearby UBC population (students, faculty, staff and residents)?
(d) How might the Safeway area redevelopment and proposed Jericho Lands development affect the Village Center?

NEIGHBOURHOOD EMAIL ANNOUNCING OPENING OF POINT GREY PHARMACY FOLLOWING 28 YEARS AT FORMER LOCATION NEXT DOOR

December 19, 2020

Dear Neighbours and Friends of Point Grey Pharmacy and Safouh El Rayes: Yesterday about 5 p.m. I received a call from Safouh. He had just received his business license, the last piece in what has been a complex and arduous journey, to move next door. But finally, everything is done. Well, everything except the actual move. At one point, since so many people had offered to help, we thought we could do a conga line move. With the current health advisories that is not possible, or safe. As well as the emotional toll, the move has been a financial burden for Safouh, having to pay double rent for months. So, what can you do to help? SHOP Everything that gets sold in the next week to ten days doesn’t have to be moved and will help Safouh with all the extra expenses. SHOP We are all washing our hands like Pontius Pilate. The pharmacy has several wonderful lines of soap—and also creams and lotions to help with the chaffing. Maybe a puzzle would be fun as we shelter at home until early January. A scarf makes a lovely gift. Or socks. Or nightgowns, purses, wallets and mittens. Stock up on birthday and anniversary cards. Review your bathroom shelves. If you will be needing toothpaste, mouth wash, deodorant, vitamins, etc., in the next while, purchase them now. You get the picture. Point Grey Village is the smallest commercial district in Vancouver and over the past couple of years the business district has suffered badly. Many businesses have permanently closed and the expectation is that many more that closed because of the pandemic will never reopen. Despite this chaos and hardship Safouh remains committed to the community. He is exactly the sort of small businessperson that Vancouver and particularly Point Grey Village need. Please, show Safouh that we appreciate his efforts to stay and keep serving our community. Head to Point Grey Pharmacy and Safouh’s General Store on 10th and SHOP. Oh, you can also say “hi” to Safouh. Please share widely with your neighbours and your networks.

— Jean Baird

NEIGHBOURHOOD EMAIL ANNOUNCING A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR IN NEW SHOP

December 7, 2021

Dear Neighbors and Friends of Point Grey Pharmacy and Safouh’s General Store: Last year you signed a letter to the City of Vancouver Council and staff urging them to fast track the application to move the pharmacy next door. As it turned out it was a pretty slow track, but finally in December everything was in place and the move happened on Boxing Day. The extensive support from the community deeply touched Safouh, both professionally and personally. Unfortunately because of COVID (aren’t we all sick of that phrase?) it was not possible to have a Grand Opening. We are still not in an environment where it is safe for Safouh to invite you to come by for coffee and cookies. But Safouh and his staff do want to THANK YOU for the support that was instrumental in making the move happen. Between now and New Year’s, please stop by the store to say “hi” and “Season’s Greetings” to Safouh and his staff, and pick up a calendar. The new store sparkles and is full of the treasures we know, and new ones. Missing Kaboodles? There are lots of goodies for the little ones. Beautiful sweaters made in Ecuador, and the cutest animal backpacks you’ve ever seen. Socks and sweet, sweet slippers for tiny feet. Cuddly stuffed animals, Tikiri dolls, puzzles and games. Oh, and puppets. Baby, it’s cold outside. Safouh’s General Store has just what you need to cozy up. Shawls, alpaca ponchos, hot water bottle covers, gloves, scarves, fuzzy slippers, 100% Indian cotton pajamas and housecoats, Santa hats and giant socks. Are you baking for the holidays? How about a new apron, a Santa spatula, oven mitts or elegant tea towels. For the holidays there are stockings for the chimney (hang them with care), tree decorations, cards and candles, napkins and table decorations. The store now stocks Rogers’ chocolates. There are lots of jigsaw puzzles. And, of course, the wonderful varieties of soap and lotions including Thymes. If, like me, you have always coveted Mary Poppins’s umbrella, the store has the Canadian equivalent—not a parrot handle, but a swan! Please stop by so that Safouh and his staff can Thank You for your support during that very difficult time.

— Jean Baird