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Economic Development Plan Update Ideas Board

Have you seen a great initiative in another city? What ideas could New West try to boost our local economy?

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Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Ideas Board

Ideas Board

Ideas Board

February 6, 2026 8:00 a.m. - March 2, 2026 8:00 a.m.

Have you seen a great initiative in another city? What ideas could New West try to boost our local economy?

Ideas big and small are welcome!

18 ideas

Sean Sallis-Lyon4 months ago We need more vibrant spaces like Granville Island, where unique, local businesses and artists can set up shop with extremely low rents. These businesses could be curated by the city, and could be a mix of affordable markets for food, art shops, maker spaces, etc. The point is that we don't just need affordable housing; we also need affordable commercial spaces. All we need to do is find a bunch of empty lots near Skytrain stations (there are a bunch of options along Columbia for example), buy them up, and build some mixed-use towers. The bottom 3-4 floors could be dedicated to this kind of curated, mixed use, low-rent commercial spaces, while the top units could all be simple but spacious apartments, meant for families. No expensive amenities, but rather open market spaces where people would come from all over the lower mainland to visit and shop (and it would be much easier to visit compared to Granville Island, because they would be right next to Skytrain stations). For more inspiration, think of Pike Place Market in Seattle, where some businesses have existed for over 100 years thanks to below-market leases. Again, these kinds of spaces become huge draws for tourists and locals alike, especially for food, where businesses can pass on the savings from below-market leases on to locals with cheaper, better quality food offerings. It's also a great way to increase local employment, as each of these spaces could lead to hundreds of new jobs.

DavidVanspall 4 months ago Columbia St needs a lot of help. So many boarded up storefronts that could be used for, well... anything! Anything would be better than nothing. And yet somehow I have heard that businesses are closing there because rents are too high. May seem crazy but maybe there needs to be more bridal stores there, and then other businesses that cater to weddings? It could be a lovely area but right now it's decrepit and needs help arguably more than anywhere else in the city.

New Bestminster 3 months ago Most of the space in New West is apartment buildings and nobody has the room to DIY! We could use a lot more spaces to work with our hands: places like community gardens, tool libraries, community workshops, and repair cafes.Growing food, borrowing niche tools, and having spaces for woodworking, textiles, and repairs can help build community prosperity through sweat equity without the barrier of needing a brick and mortar storefront. People can even make money holding classes or selling what they make. Spaces like these help people make friends, gain new skills, and access tools to hone in their trade.A good local economy is a sustainable one. High-quality, repairable, and locally-made goods based on relationships make for healthy people, prosperous communities, and resilient economies.

Kai 4 months ago Having more dance and music spaces would mean more people staying in New West instead of leaving for Vancouver. It might also draw people in from neighbouring cities. When the Douglas College student housing building is finished there will also be a large student population. Waterloo, Ontario is a good example of a city with a large student population that caters to young adults. It has many dance studios, community halls, and bars.

Shervin 4 months ago

Paul Toth4 months ago It would be great if the development at 65 First Street had some light retail incorporated into it. This will encourage people from the Surrey side to walk over to New West and maybe stop at a small Cafe just to have a treat and a coffee and then head back. Or the other way around it'll encourage New West residents to maybe walk across to the Surrey side and then come back and have a tea or coffee. It would be such a good way to encourage more pedestrian traffic through the facilities that have been incorporated into the bridge (pedestrian and bike lanes).

NWWalker 4 months ago Once the stage is rebuilt it should be set up like the Kitsilano Show Boat with shows on a regular basis though out the summer on set days of the week at same with a program set up so people know what is going on and can plan to go see the shows. The baseball stadium should be used to host concerts. The park should be decorated like Lafarge Lake with lights and food trucks so it is a fun place to go in the winter. There should be event packages that are put together that include a show and a dinner to promote local restaurants, entertainment and apres show drinks. There should be historical tours offered by students at Douglas College that tell participants about different parts of the city and include visits to businesses in the area. If there are newer areas with not so much history, make it a comedy tour with nonsense info set up to entertain.

cyan15 3 months ago

mcj 4 months ago The Shipyards area in North Vancouver is a huge draw to that area and has seen vibrancy injected into the local economy where with new businesses setting up shop. Along with the Shipyards redevelopment, the Lonsdale Quay market is being renovated and revitalized. I think the city should consider renovating and revitalizing Hyack Square, including a rebuild of the overpass to better integrate with the Skytrain station and update to modern accessibility standards. As well, the River Market should be renovated and ideally in the long term expanded to accommodate more businesses, in the near term the hours should be extended and efforts made by the city to encourage it as an evening destination. This should also include a near-term renovation of the collapsing boardwalk in front of the River, ideally with a redesign providing better outdoor seating (with some weather protection for rainy days) for the businesses at the River Market.

Rumbagal 4 months ago

uptownWP 3 months ago

uptownWP 3 months ago

Gina Lolla3 months ago

cyan15 3 months ago We all know how much it rains in Vancouver and the frustrations of registering for drop-in sports at indoor facilities and community centres.The solution? To have an outdoor multi-use covered facility with lights and roof so more residents can stay active and healthy all year round!Similar initiatives in other cities: https://peacearchnews.com/2026/02/24/surrey-council-approves-3-6-million-contract-for-covered-multi-sports-box-at-newtons-unwin-park/ https://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/recreation-facilities/outdoor-multi-use-boxes The facility can house different sports: Pickleball Ball hockey Lacrosse Basketball Stay active New West!

Dona Anderson3 months ago

coffeelover 3 months ago

Begbie 3 months ago

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