CBC's On the Coast Liveblog from O'Douls

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

To celebrate jumping on to the FM dial (88.1), the CBC is on location at O’Douls today to enjoy some piano music (note the theme… 88 keys… 88 on the dial). The topics today will focus on the West End; from rent-o-victions to St. Paul’s and I’ll be adding my own notes, history tidbits and insights on living in this great neighbourhood.

CBC On the Coast Liveblog

From 3:00 until 6:00pm if you have any questions, comments or concerns about Vancouver’s West End life, please feel free to leave me a comment and I’ll try to work it into one of my spots on the show.

Update: I just did my first hit at 3:19 and was able to introduce my blog, what I write about, what I like about the West End etc. I got to sit next to the charming woman who runs programs at Roedde House, Janet Bingham.

CBC On The Coast Liveblog

Update: If you’re listening in on the radio or online, the lovely music you’ll hear throughout the is provided by: The Shannon Thue Trio, singer Melody Diachun and her trio and the Ross Taggart Trio with special guest Mike Allen on saxophone.

Update: There is now a panel of three residents of the West End who have all lived here for various time spans, from decades to months. “You can be who you want to be,” said Jim from Little Sisters. While Naomi, who is an international student, said it’s just simply “convenient.” One woman has worked at St. Paul’s and said she was just walking by apartments and found her place to live. Actually, that’s how I found an apartment for John and I too — I was just out walking around and taking down phone numbers until I found a building I liked that had a vacancy.

CBC On The Coast Liveblog

The panel is asked about what is changing in the neighbourhood, which is already known for its wonderful diversity and open community. However there are issues, as with the rest of the downtown core, from drugs to incidents of gay-bashing, safety, security and affordable housing.

CBC On The Coast Liveblog

Update: Jackie Wong from the Westender is now on tap, and she notes that the biggest issue in this part of town is rental housing. She also notes that the provincial riding has changed for this part of town as we are no longer “Vancouver Burrard” we are now “Vancouver West End” removing Yaletown and focusing directly on the West End.

Update: I was just on again sharing some comments from the liveblog and Twitter. I also got the chance to talk about City Reflections, which you can purchase online or at several locations throughout the city.

CBC On The Coast Liveblog

Update: Spencer Herbert, MLA for Vancouver Burrard is up next. He talks about the rental situation, which how there are several cases of landlords cranking up the rent to cover ‘renovations’ that don’t appear to be that much work or evictions so they can renovate and jack up the prices for those who move in after. The second pressing topic he mentions is homelessness.

Update: After a musical interlude we now have Brent Granby on the mic who is the president of the West End Residents Association as well as a member of the Save St. Paul’s coalition.

Update: The next guest is WERA member Christine Ackermann, who mentions that she personally knows two people who have gone through these types of evictions and are now living in Stanley Park.

Update: Jane just arrived so I’m going to wrap up my liveblogging (I don’t think I’m doing any more live hits). She was the one who contributed the stellar amount of $4,000 to my Blogathon campaign last summer so we’re going to head to the studio this evening and hang out with Matt Good (who offered up the prize for highest donation at the time).

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5 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Terry LavenderFriday, January 30th, 2009 — 3:44pm PST

    I wonder if you could work into your next spot that the concrete highrises are actually a minority in the West End. There’s an incredible variety of architecture – from 150-year-old houses to turn of the century low-rise apartment buildings, to single family homes, to wood frame apartment buildings and yes, a few concrete high-rises. The host seems obsessed with talking about concrete highrises.

  2. Nadia NascimentoFriday, January 30th, 2009 — 3:58pm PST

    As a past and forever faithful resident of the West End, one of the greatest developments has been the reclamation of the paved paradise on the corner of Burrard and Davie and bringing in a soon to be unveiled community garden.

    The West End is one of the more distinct and true communities in YVR and I am happy to see it setting examples of city greening initiatives.

    Well done!

  3. breeFriday, January 30th, 2009 — 3:58pm PST

    That’s something that surprised me when I first moved to the West End. I didn’t expect to see so many fabulous old homes and character apartments. I agree with Terry that it’s worth mentioning. To me it’s these unique buildings that define the architectural culture of the West End.

    Of course now I’m in another West End, this time in New West. It’s still the old character homes that attracted me there though!

  4. lola mayFriday, January 30th, 2009 — 4:15pm PST

    One thing I find immensely frustrating is all the skytrain construction, which is not only annoying, but still doesn’t connect the west end. or yaletown (yes, I know about stadium station, but it is still a far walk from many places). Why are we not actively working towards reducing cars though better transit?

  5. Barclay Heritage Square Photowalk » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 by Rebecca BollwittSunday, April 5th, 2009 — 6:23pm PDT

    […] I would also love to read “More Than a House” The Story of Roedde House and Barclay Heritage Square by Janet Bingham (whom I met at the CBC Radio event). […]

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