Frances Bula
@fabulavancouver.bsky.social
Cities are life! Writing about Vancouver region urban issues, politics, housing + more for Globe and Mail mainly, BCBusiness, Vancouver mag, and a few more. Grand-daughter of Saskatchewan farmers, mom/step-mom to four millennials coping with housing market
Big news in development world. The Squamish Nation and OP Trust (Ontario pension) now the only partners in the Senakw development, after OP Trust takes on the 30 per cent Westbank Corp (Ian Gillespie) share for Phases 1/2, Squamish 100 per cent developer for Phases 3/4
August 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Big news in development world. The Squamish Nation and OP Trust (Ontario pension) now the only partners in the Senakw development, after OP Trust takes on the 30 per cent Westbank Corp (Ian Gillespie) share for Phases 1/2, Squamish 100 per cent developer for Phases 3/4
Sounds like there are a few councillors in the region planning mayoral bids as they sense their current mayors are vulnerable. Linda Annis in Surrey set to challenge Brenda Locke, Daniel Fontaine in New West with Patrick Johnstone, Kash Heed in Richmond against Malcolm Brodie
August 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Sounds like there are a few councillors in the region planning mayoral bids as they sense their current mayors are vulnerable. Linda Annis in Surrey set to challenge Brenda Locke, Daniel Fontaine in New West with Patrick Johnstone, Kash Heed in Richmond against Malcolm Brodie
The city has agreed with opponents to the controversial supportive housing project to allow the approved rezoning of 2022 to be quashed
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Vancouver abandons controversial supportive-housing project in Kitsilano
City council declined to keep fighting a lawsuit residents filed against the rezoning of the site near Arbutus and Broadway for a 129-unit, 13-storey complex
www.theglobeandmail.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The city has agreed with opponents to the controversial supportive housing project to allow the approved rezoning of 2022 to be quashed
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
Reposted by Frances Bula
In B.C., promise of temporary modular housing was short-lived solution to #homelessness crisis. Turns out the units are expensive to disassemble, store, ship, upgrade to code, and re-assemble, by @fabulavancouver.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
In B.C., promise of temporary modular housing was short-lived solution to homelessness crisis
Units are expensive to disassemble, store, ship, upgrade to current building-code standards for colder climates, and re-assemble
www.theglobeandmail.com
April 26, 2025 at 1:32 AM
In B.C., promise of temporary modular housing was short-lived solution to #homelessness crisis. Turns out the units are expensive to disassemble, store, ship, upgrade to code, and re-assemble, by @fabulavancouver.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Frances Bula
So ~$3.8m per lot.
Assuming 1.8m regular market price, this is ~2x land value to consolidate for a couple towers (probably 6 fsr? 6x current allowed density).
Have just been thinking about the pros/cons of consolidation vs single lot densification…
Assuming 1.8m regular market price, this is ~2x land value to consolidate for a couple towers (probably 6 fsr? 6x current allowed density).
Have just been thinking about the pros/cons of consolidation vs single lot densification…
April 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
So ~$3.8m per lot.
Assuming 1.8m regular market price, this is ~2x land value to consolidate for a couple towers (probably 6 fsr? 6x current allowed density).
Have just been thinking about the pros/cons of consolidation vs single lot densification…
Assuming 1.8m regular market price, this is ~2x land value to consolidate for a couple towers (probably 6 fsr? 6x current allowed density).
Have just been thinking about the pros/cons of consolidation vs single lot densification…
Reposted by Frances Bula
Big Pundit Brain Thought Of The Day: Sean Orr is Vancouver’s first politician to win an election with Instagram as their main media/advertising tool.
He had a constant stream of personable, punchy videos, many of which got shared hundreds of times, helping create a highly motivated core to vote.
He had a constant stream of personable, punchy videos, many of which got shared hundreds of times, helping create a highly motivated core to vote.
April 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Big Pundit Brain Thought Of The Day: Sean Orr is Vancouver’s first politician to win an election with Instagram as their main media/advertising tool.
He had a constant stream of personable, punchy videos, many of which got shared hundreds of times, helping create a highly motivated core to vote.
He had a constant stream of personable, punchy videos, many of which got shared hundreds of times, helping create a highly motivated core to vote.
With 18/27 polls reporting, Orr/COPE and Maloney/OneCity galloping way ahead of the pack. Reilly/Green a distant third and Hardwick/TEAM behind her.
April 6, 2025 at 6:45 AM
With 18/27 polls reporting, Orr/COPE and Maloney/OneCity galloping way ahead of the pack. Reilly/Green a distant third and Hardwick/TEAM behind her.
I heard from three sources earlier this evening that Mayor Ken Sim basically conceded the two open seats were lost to ABC in communications with party insiders.
April 6, 2025 at 6:43 AM
I heard from three sources earlier this evening that Mayor Ken Sim basically conceded the two open seats were lost to ABC in communications with party insiders.
Reposted by Frances Bula
Staff at Marpole-Oakridge told some seniors trying to skip the regular line that seniors can’t get priority access because “half the line is seniors”. They only let seniors with obvious mobility issues to skip the regular line.
April 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Staff at Marpole-Oakridge told some seniors trying to skip the regular line that seniors can’t get priority access because “half the line is seniors”. They only let seniors with obvious mobility issues to skip the regular line.
If you’re a senior, pregnant, have a disability, you can get priority access for voting. If you don’t see the sign for it, ask a staffer. #vanpoli
April 6, 2025 at 1:01 AM
If you’re a senior, pregnant, have a disability, you can get priority access for voting. If you don’t see the sign for it, ask a staffer. #vanpoli
There appear to be long line-ups at many of today’s polling places. To help your fellow citizens, can you post about the state of the line where you are and, in particular, let people know if your centre line-up seems to be under 30 min
April 6, 2025 at 12:59 AM
There appear to be long line-ups at many of today’s polling places. To help your fellow citizens, can you post about the state of the line where you are and, in particular, let people know if your centre line-up seems to be under 30 min
Looking for any Canadians who own rec or other U.S. property nearby. Obviously wondering impact of current state of things, but also would like to talk about the attraction of rec property south of the border, any challenges there have been over the years. Text or call at BC area code 812.6205
April 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Looking for any Canadians who own rec or other U.S. property nearby. Obviously wondering impact of current state of things, but also would like to talk about the attraction of rec property south of the border, any challenges there have been over the years. Text or call at BC area code 812.6205
For anyone who can't make advance voting today and unable to vote April 5, you can ask for a mail-in ballot UP TO NOON TODAY. Then you can pick it up at city hall any time 8:30 to 5 Wednesday or Thursday and up to noon Friday. Can be dropped at elxn office 305 West 8th any time
April 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
For anyone who can't make advance voting today and unable to vote April 5, you can ask for a mail-in ballot UP TO NOON TODAY. Then you can pick it up at city hall any time 8:30 to 5 Wednesday or Thursday and up to noon Friday. Can be dropped at elxn office 305 West 8th any time
Substantial line-up already at city hall, the last day and only place for advance voting in the Vancouver by-election. A real mix of ages here. Would love to quiz everyone in line but I think that won’t fly
April 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Substantial line-up already at city hall, the last day and only place for advance voting in the Vancouver by-election. A real mix of ages here. Would love to quiz everyone in line but I think that won’t fly
It looked like there was a pretty serious accident at Commercial and Second on Saturday afternoon -- a pedestrian down in the crosswalk and an SUV stopped just beyond it, plus half a dozen police cars, ambulances, etc. -- but I didn't see any police info on it. Anyone know anything?
March 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It looked like there was a pretty serious accident at Commercial and Second on Saturday afternoon -- a pedestrian down in the crosswalk and an SUV stopped just beyond it, plus half a dozen police cars, ambulances, etc. -- but I didn't see any police info on it. Anyone know anything?
Reposted by Frances Bula
As ever, a great thread and great resource.
I’d also add:
1. More entrances to the street means fewer long blank walls to the street. Even if the same total number of people are coming and going, they’re more distributed.
2. A knowable number of neighbours, for family safety.
I’d also add:
1. More entrances to the street means fewer long blank walls to the street. Even if the same total number of people are coming and going, they’re more distributed.
2. A knowable number of neighbours, for family safety.
An updated thread of diagrams,
comparing Single Egress Stair (SES) buildings
to Double-Loaded buildings (with two stairs and a hallway).
aka why SES buildings are better, and - in many aspects - safer than double loaded buildings.
comparing Single Egress Stair (SES) buildings
to Double-Loaded buildings (with two stairs and a hallway).
aka why SES buildings are better, and - in many aspects - safer than double loaded buildings.
March 31, 2025 at 6:20 PM
As ever, a great thread and great resource.
I’d also add:
1. More entrances to the street means fewer long blank walls to the street. Even if the same total number of people are coming and going, they’re more distributed.
2. A knowable number of neighbours, for family safety.
I’d also add:
1. More entrances to the street means fewer long blank walls to the street. Even if the same total number of people are coming and going, they’re more distributed.
2. A knowable number of neighbours, for family safety.
I took a long look at what the province's new seismic requirements mean for residential builders. (Some of the tech details made my head hurt.)
storeys.com/seismic-prot...
storeys.com/seismic-prot...
A Seismic Shift: New Earthquake Protections Push Project Costs Even Higher
A consultant report for the province, obtained by STOREYS, estimates the impacts of the revised earthquake requirements at up to 80% higher for the seismic components by themselves.
storeys.com
March 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I took a long look at what the province's new seismic requirements mean for residential builders. (Some of the tech details made my head hurt.)
storeys.com/seismic-prot...
storeys.com/seismic-prot...
Just to make it clear: I have many gripes with the planning/housing in so many parts of the region, not just the Broadway Plan. The weird Mordor-like tower clusters in shopping-mall lots. Vast tracts of single-detached homes in retail deserts. (I'd start drinking if lived there.)
March 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Just to make it clear: I have many gripes with the planning/housing in so many parts of the region, not just the Broadway Plan. The weird Mordor-like tower clusters in shopping-mall lots. Vast tracts of single-detached homes in retail deserts. (I'd start drinking if lived there.)
Two pieces of recent news (expansion of bike spaces in Paris, positive reviews about congestion pricing in New York) have reminded me of how important it is for successful city policy to get visible wins for the public. Something the Broadway Plan isn't doing and why that matters
March 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Two pieces of recent news (expansion of bike spaces in Paris, positive reviews about congestion pricing in New York) have reminded me of how important it is for successful city policy to get visible wins for the public. Something the Broadway Plan isn't doing and why that matters
Does anyone here know what's happening with the lululemon headquarters in the flats that was approved 2020 and was said to be going ahead 2022 but nothing seems to have been started?
March 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Does anyone here know what's happening with the lululemon headquarters in the flats that was approved 2020 and was said to be going ahead 2022 but nothing seems to have been started?
I have a poll going in the other place re Broadway plan and city development, if anyone wants to participate. Sorry, couldn’t find a way to post here
March 24, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I have a poll going in the other place re Broadway plan and city development, if anyone wants to participate. Sorry, couldn’t find a way to post here
Interesting difference between Twitter and BlueSky in the response to my critique of the Broadway Plan. On BlueSky, heavily negative about my take, with many YIMBY types (and chief city planner) arguing with many points. Twitter tilts more to people agreeing with me.
March 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Interesting difference between Twitter and BlueSky in the response to my critique of the Broadway Plan. On BlueSky, heavily negative about my take, with many YIMBY types (and chief city planner) arguing with many points. Twitter tilts more to people agreeing with me.
Reposted by Frances Bula
Global News has obtained leaked audio of an ABC candidate running in the Vancouver byelection speaking about his running mate.
globalnews.ca/video/110919...
globalnews.ca/video/110919...
Leaked audio of Vancouver byelection candidate | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Leaked audio of Vancouver byelection candidate Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
globalnews.ca
March 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Global News has obtained leaked audio of an ABC candidate running in the Vancouver byelection speaking about his running mate.
globalnews.ca/video/110919...
globalnews.ca/video/110919...
Reminding you all one more time that you don’t have to order from Amazon. Went looking for Njahi black beans from Kenya this week. Not a single local African grocery store had them. $40 for a 1.5 k bag on Amazon. $9 per 1 k bag from Chakula Tami in Toronto plus delivery.
March 21, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reminding you all one more time that you don’t have to order from Amazon. Went looking for Njahi black beans from Kenya this week. Not a single local African grocery store had them. $40 for a 1.5 k bag on Amazon. $9 per 1 k bag from Chakula Tami in Toronto plus delivery.
Once again, it's kinda depressing that if you try to bring up the smallest suggestion the Broadway Plan could have better urban design, a pack of people will jump on you to suggest you're trying to kill all housing. I understand, many of you are burned by decades of NIMBY oppo to everything but ...
March 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Once again, it's kinda depressing that if you try to bring up the smallest suggestion the Broadway Plan could have better urban design, a pack of people will jump on you to suggest you're trying to kill all housing. I understand, many of you are burned by decades of NIMBY oppo to everything but ...