In all the conversations around Save Vancouver Streets, one key element is missing: The ability for local residents to say “no.”
Seven years ago, the city of Vancouver adopted its “Complete Streets Program,” a nice-sounding policy encouraging streets be made safe for all types of transit — bikes, pedestrians, etc. — as well as cars. Most of us support the concept. Then last year, we residents off 34th Street awoke to find this meant we were losing two of our four lanes — on a major connector between 192nd and 164th avenues. Naturally we complained. City Hall told us sorry, the decision to remove the lanes was made years ago; you only have the choice of what two lanes will look like.
Federal and state environmental processes always have a “no action” alternative. Not so with the city.
The Save Vancouver Streets effort I helped lead gathered 6,500 signatures — not nothing. At its core, it’s a cry to be heard. Many showed up at the city council meeting to be put last on the agenda, wait for hours and be told “sorry, your initiative is illegal.” And we wonder why people don’t like or trust their government.
