City of North Vancouver CityViews: Sustainability Website , Waterfront Pier Development, National Maritime Centre, City Library, LEC, Spirit Trail

Sustainability in the City of North Vancouver

The North Vancouver City has long had a clear vision of the kind of sustainable community it wishes to be: vibrant, diverse and highly liveable. This North Vancouver vision has roots that reach as far back as the city of North Van's incorporation more than a century ago. Since its beginnings as a small milling and shipbuilding based community along Burrad Inlet, the City of North Vancouver has remained committed to protecting the natural environment; creating a robust, sustainable economy; and enhancing the quality of life for all those living and working in the community. Today, the City of Vancouver's award winning municipality is home to more than 48,000 residents and the commitment to build a sustainable community has not changed. The environmental, economic and social health of our City of North Vancouver community is vitally important, which is why our sustainability goals influence every aspect of our growing, developing City. Our City of North Vancouver sustainability goals can be represented as thre circles with one for each of the environment, economy and community/society. Where the circles overlop are the areas of sustainability. Here, all the things tha mek up our quality of life come together. The city of North Vancouver recognizes these circles not as separate, unrelated entities but as a single, vital, complete community much like the one we are working to achieve. Founded on these principles of sustainability, the City of North Vancouver's Official Community Plan established the long term goals, plans and actions that will successfully balance the environment, economic and social needs of the community. More than a statement for the City of North Vancouver's future, the Official Community Plan establishes over 200 goals and objectives that can be monitored and measured for success. The City of North Vancouver recognizes that the support of its citizens and larger community is vital to achieving its sustainability goals today and beyond. As such, the City of North Vancouver supports community driven environmental initiatives and is presently working with the UBC Design Centre for Sustainability to prepare an innovative 100 Year Sustainability Vision for the city of North Vancouver. This long-range plan will look at the effect of climate change on the City's resources and examine how planning work and energy conservation actions are supporting sustainability goals. While the City of North Vancouver Official Community Plan charts course of action for the City, these collaborations will help advance long-term viable solutions to environmental changes.

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City of North Vancouver Sustainability Website

The North Vancouver City has dedicated a large section of its web site to serve as both a comprehensive online resource and opportunity to the community to connect with the City on sustainability issues. The City of North Vancouver Sustainability in the City website enables you to find information about the City's vision, plans and progress in the three major areas of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. This City of North Vancouver Sustainability web site portal also contains links to sustainable programs and initiatives at the regional, provincial and national levels. The City of North Vancouver Sustainability Website will continue to be a work in progress as the City's many sustainability intiiatives grow and expand. Visit www.cnv.org/Sustainability regularly to see our progress and offer your views of living sustainably in the City of North Vancouver. Economic sustainability: The city supports growth and real estate development that are well integrated with environmental and social considerations. This approach has helped to shape several important City of North Vancouver initiatives, including the City's Economic Development Strategy, which in turn supports other policy documents such as the Official community Plan and Transportation Plan. The City of North Vancouver recognizes that a strong economy can be a vehicle to change, a catalyst for a greener way of thinking and living. As such, its economic sustainability goals aim to meet the diverse needs of a community, while taking into consideration how resources are used. Visit www.cnv.org/Sustainability for more information about the City of North Vancouver Economic Sustainbility in the City.

City of North Vancouver Waterfront Real Estate Development

The North Vancouver waterfront real estate district has long been a focal point of the municipalitiy's identity and development. More than a century ago, the area was a vital, bustling transportation centre for shipbuilding and marine-related industries. Today, the City of North Vancouver's waterfront real estate community is recognized as both a heritage landmark and signature attraction. The City of North Vancouver's Waterfront Project aims to create a sense of place and pride in the local community and bring economic opportunities to neighbouring areas. Considerations include establishing a National Maritime Centre for the Pacific and the Arctic and providing new residential real estate and commercial property opportunities for the growing Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood through The Pier Development real esate project. Construction Update: Site preparation, excavacation and construction are presently underway on the real estate development sites north and south of Esplanade in Lower Lonsdale in the City of North Vancouver waterfront Project. Work includes the dismantling of a large heritage structure, which will be stored and erected again later as part of the City of North Vancouver National Maritime Centre real estate development. There will also be some dynamic soil compaction to ensure that foundations for the new real estate buildings can be built to current seismic standards. Traffic and pedestrian access along Esplanade may be impacted as this work continues through thet summer until spring 2009. Visit www.cnv.org/WaterfrontProject for more information about the National Heritage Museum of North Vancouver and The North Vancouver Pier Development real estate project. For construction updates, visit www.cnv.org/ConstructionUpdates.

North Vancouver National Maritime Centre for the Pacific and Arctic

The City of North Vancouver would like to thank the BC provincial government for their generous support of the national Maritime Centre real estate project. On May 2, 2008 Premier Gordon Campbell announced that a grant of $9 million will be provided to the City of North Vancouver to advance its plans to build a world class maritime facility on the city's historic real estate waterfront district. With this significant financial support, the City of North Vancouver National Maritime Centre is yet another step closer to being established and now awaits a similar commitment from the federal government. Envisioned as a world class facility, national landmark and major tourist attraction, the City of North Vancouver National Maritime Centre will be a dynamic year round destination for City residents and tourists. Once built, the facility will offer historic and interactive exhibits, martime education and training, community events, business forums and boat festivals as well as amenities such as restaurants and retail shops. The North Vancouver real estate project is an impressive example of public private partnership. During its North Van real estate development, the proposed National Maritime Centre attracted the support of more than 45 potential partners, including all levels of government, First Nations, maritime and tourism industries, and educational partners. Once completed, the National Maritime Centre of North Vancouver will be self sustaining through commercial revenues generated on the site. Visit www.cnv.org/NationalMaritimeCentre or call 604.982.3911 for more information.

Party at the Lower Lonsdale Pier of North Vancouver
Sunday, August 31, 2008, come celebrate the Maritime Community in Lower Lonsdale from 11am to 3pm at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier and St. Roch Dock Foot of Lonsdale. The Lower Lonsdale Business Association invites the entire community of North Vancouver to the 2008 Party at the Pier! This unique marine themed celebration includes entertainment and activities for the whole family. Enjoy a wide variety of musical guests, roving performers, an amazing stilt walker, fantastic face painters, the Seaspan tugobat ballet and tours of the harbour. A variety of food and refreshments will be available to satisfy a range of palates. Visit www.cnv.org fo rmore information about the real estate transformation of Lower Lonsdale community.

North Vancouver City Library Construction Update and Grand Opening "You're Invited!"

The new City of North Vancouver Library will be completed in September 2008 and the community is invited to attend the special grand opening celebration on Saturday, September 20. Did you know? That it takes a community to raise a library? Your contribution to the City Library's Donation Program can help create services that will have a long legacy for the community. Visit www.nvcl.ca for more information. Construction is nearly complete on what is considered one of the North Vancouver City's most important public facilities. Since early 2007, the City Library of North Vancouver has achieved several significant milestones, including the creation of the first sustainable district energy mini-plant in Central Lonsdale, and the installation of rooftop solar panels which will collect energy for the mini-plant. The new City Library of North Vancouver is also constructed to a minimum LEED Silver Certification Standard, utilizing a combination of natural ventilation, geo-exchange cooling and solar energy to meet the heating and cooling needs of the building. Located in the heart of Central Lonsdale, the new city of North Vancouver Library will be a landmark structure with spectacular mountain and water views. In addition to its beautiful design and public art, the Library of North Vancouver will feature state of the art technology, public computers, wireless access, an expanded collection of 150,000 items, a study hall, community meeting rooms, a children's reading garden, an area for teens, underground parking, and an extension to the existing public plaza that fronts City Hall. A café located on the plaza level will enhance the experience. Join the City of Vancouver Library Grand Opening Ceremony Celebration in Civic Plaza on Saturday, September 20, from 11am to 3pm. Visit www.cnv.org/LibraryCivicCentre for more information about the City of North Vancouver new City Library.

Grand Opening of the LEED Silver Built New City Library of North Vancouver
You're Invited to the North Vancouver City Library Grand Opening Launch! Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 11am to 3pm at the North Vancouver City Library Civic Plaza at Lonsdale and 14th Street. The City of North Vancouver is celebrating the completion of a landmark real estate building in the heart of central Lonsdale, marking the official opening of the North Vancouver City Library and Spirit Square Civic Plaza. Join us for this outdoor, literary-themed, community celebration, beginning with an official ceremony and the unveiling of commemorative plaques. Activities and attractions at the grand opening of the new City Library of North Vancouver includes: musical guests Mimosa and the Fugitives, author readings and book signins, children's activities, fire juggler Mike Battie, strolling entertainment, featuring popular storybook characters, educational displays and celebration cupcakes and much more. Visit www.cnv.org for more information about the celebrations at the North Vancouver city Library Civic Plaza.

Lonsdale Energy Corporation (LEC)

The North Vancouver City's Lonsdale Energy Corporation is one of the city's environmentally friendly ways of enabling a green community for the future. Since 2004, this award winning district energy system has been providing Lower Lonsdale with dependable clean energy, while significantly reducing the demand for electricity. Through a network of underground pipes and boiler mini-plants, Lonsdale Energy Corporation or the LEC circulates hot water to heat the buildings that are connected to its system. LEC systems are designed to capture up t o95% of the heat energy derived from burning natural gas to heat water. Depending on the temperature of returning water, LEC boilers have a nominal efficiency between 87% and 98%, a rate that exceeds stand alone boilers typically installed in multi-unit residential buildings. LEC or the Lonsdale Energy Corporation presently uses highly efficient natural gas to power its mini-plants. While relatively clean and competitively priced, LEC recognizes that natural gas remains a fossil fuel. As such, LEC is continually exploring ways to switch to alternative/renewable fuels such as hydrogen, geothermal or solar energy options. Because the LEC boilers are designed to use any of a variety of fuels, Lonsdale Energy Corporation will transition to using zerio emissions sources as soon as it becomes economical to do so. This move is already underway in Central Lonsdale North Vancouver where the new City Library's mini-plant will have solar panels as one of its heating sources. LEC presently provides heating for more than 1,000 residential units. By 2010, LEC anticipates serving 20 Lower Lonsdale buildings, totaling three million square feet of building area. Lonsdale Energy Corporation is considering the big picture when it comes to energy use. The growing energy gap and global energy crisis demand innovative solutions like distinct energy systems. As an early pioneer of this service, LEC has great potential to become a sustainable source of energy for the future and has captured the attention of other municipalities, as well as cities in foreign countries. Visit www.LonsdaleEnergy.ca for more information about Lonsdale energy Corporation LEC and the advantages of district energy.

North Shore Spirit Trail

The North Vancouver City is working with the BC provincial government, North Shore municipalities, First Nations and other organizations to create the North Shore Spirit Trail. Conceived as a 35 km waterfront oriented, multi-use greenway, the North Shore Spirit Trail represents an exciting opportunity for the City of North Vancouver's sustainability goals. Through the creation of the North Shore Spirit Trail, the City of North Vancouver can provide safe, accessible, alternative transportation options for pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters and people with wheeled mobility aids. Visit www.cnv.org/SpiritTrail for the latest information and progress updates on the North Shore Spirit Trail.

$1 Million More from BC Province for North Shore Spirit Trail in North Vancouver

Money to go toward North Vancouver pedestrian overpass according to Melanie of the North Shore News. A new links hould soon be added to the North Shore Spirit Trail, thanks to a $1 million provincial donation announced by Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon in North Vancouver on Tuesday. The funding will go toward the construction of a pedestrian overpass over CN Rail Lines that will allow users to reach North Vancouver’s waterfront real estate district, including Lonsdale Quay. The 35 kilometre trail, which is still under construction runs near or along the North Shore waterfront real estate community. It will be open to cyclists, inline skaters and pedestrians. “I’m extremely pleased. It’s a very substancial contribution,” said North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussatto. “I’m really trying to give alternatives for people to commute other than the automobile. (Also) it’ll link up two areas that are completely disconnected because of the railway tracks. We’ve had lots of people trying to cross the train tracks.” The aim of the North Shore Spirit Trail is to make the trail stretch uninterrupted from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. Mussatto called the North Shore Spirit Trail a gateway to the North Shore real estate community. “(It will be) our own little Stanley Park seawall,” said Mussatto. “It will be good for locals and tourists.” “it’s not often in government that you will have the opportunity to be involved in these really important legacy projects that can have such a positive impact,” said Falcon. When asked if the North Shore Spirit Trail could expect future funding he said his ministry would be willing to help out. “I believe very, very strongly in this,” said Falcon. The four metre wide paved North Shore Spirit Trail will have a low grade, avoiding steep areas in order to be more accessible. This means that the bridge itself must have low grades also. That explains the hefty price tag for the BC Spirit Trail North Shore, since the bridge must be quite wide to reach the required two story height over the train tracks. The entire North Vancouver Spirit Trail project will cost $3 million. The balance will come from the city, although students at Bodwell High School also raised $5,000 toward the North Shore Spirit Trail project. Currently, the province’s LocalMotion program, designed to promote greener, more active and accessible communities, has already allotted $3.5 million to North Vancouver Spirit Trail upgrades. The funding for the North Shore Spirit Trail depends upon the municipality contributing at least 50 per cent of the cost. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announces a $1 million provincial investment in the North Shore Spirit Trail on August 26th. The money will go towards a pedestrian overpass that will traverse the railway tracks at North Vancouver’s Mackay Creek. The North Shore Spirit Trail will eventually run from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove.

District of North Vancouver seeks Spirit Trail Input

Two routes options for western portion- a public meeting is planned according to Hollie L for the North Shore News. The DNV will look west rather than east in prioritizing planning for the North Shore Spirit Trail. Public consultation will begin September 30th and construction on one section could begin as early as next year. During a Sept 15 workshop, a council discussed plans for the trail with engineer Erica Geddes. The North Shore Spirit Trail is envisioned as a 35 km low lying path that will link Horseshoe Bay and Deep Cove. It was initiated by the North Shore Spirit of B.C. committee with the goal of creating a legacy for the 2010 Olympic Games for North and West Vancouver. A consultant has reviewed route options for the district , and a portion west of the City of North Vancouver will be focused on first, said Geddes. A public workshop will be held on Sept 30 to get feedback on the western trail. The two possible routes from the boundary with the District of West Vancouver that will be discussed are: a trail through Welch Park, meeting up with West First Street near Mackay Creek or a trail starting at Welch Park then cutting down Garden Avenue to a majority of the trail on West First Street. Geddes noted there is already an existing trail in Welch Park, which is something that “could be built on” with the Spirit Trail North Vancouver project. Counc. Lisa Muri was outspoken in her preference of the two options: “Let’s just leave the Welch Street one,” she said. Geddes replied that the North Shore Spirit Trail through Welch Park has been getting better feedback, but both will be presented to the public. “We expect the public to give us suggestions,” she said. The first section of the North Shore Spirit Trail is expected to cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1.2 million based on the route option. A good portion of the funding from the western portion of the North Shore Spirit Trail is expected to come from the province and from TransLink, with the remainder paid by the district of North Vancouver. “Our neighbours are already on this,” said Geddes, noting that North Shore Spirit Trail planning in West Vancouver and City of North Vancouver are already progressing. The western portion of the district trail could start “relatively soon” with the possible start date of 2009. Construction would take around two years, she said. The Sept 30 public meeting will be held at the Squamish Nation’s Elder’s Centre at 100 Mathias Road from 7 to 9pm.

Legislative Report from Katherine Whittred, M.L.A. on $1 Million Funding for North Shore Spirit Trail
Katherine stands with Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, City of North Van Mayor Darrell Mussatto and fellow MLA Ralph Suttan to announce additional provincial funding for the North Shore Spirit Trail. I was pleaed to join Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon in announcing the Province of BC is investing $1 million toward the City of North Van’s Makay Creek/CN Rail overpasss. This adds another link to the North Shore Spirit Trail in North Vancouver. The funding will enable construction of an overpass for pedestrians and cyclists over the CN Rail Lines, just south of the intersection of Mackay Road and West 1st Street. Trail improvements for the North Shore Spirit Trail on either side of the overpass will provide users with safe and convenient connections to the Lower Mackay Creek Park/Marine Drive neighbourhoods to the north and to Kings Mill Park to the south. Improvements to this portion of the North Shore Spirit Trail are in addition to more than $3.5 million in funding under the LocalMotion Porgram for upgrades to the North Shore Spirit Trail. Once complete, the Spirit Trail of North Vanocuver will be a low level route spanning communities from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. I look forward to sharing the North Shore Spirit Trail with walkers, cyclists, wheelchair riders and all those wishing to get out and get active.

West Vancouver Spirit Trail Construction Set to Begin

District of West Vancouver staff is preparing to begin construction on Phase 1 of the West Vancouver Spirit Trail stretching behind Park Royal Shopping Centre this fall! According to a report by director of engineering and transport Raymond Fung, construction of the section reaching through Ambleside Park from Pound Road to 13th street should begin in the next few weeks. Fung said staff is only waiting on final approval from Park Royal Shopping Centre and the Squamish Nation, expected to come through next week. Fung also encouraged council to create a working group to help the West Vancouver Spirit Trail staff westward expansion. “We recommended that a Spirit Trail consultation working group be established to assist staff in developing a process to work with residents as the project proceeds from conceptual design down through detailed design in specific neighbourhoods,” Fung said. The Spirit Trail is a bike and walking path intended to span the North Shore from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Deep Cove in North Vancouver. By Jessica for the North Shore News.

New Green Building Standards

Beginning September 5, 2008, all new construction in B.C. will need to meet progressive green building standards for energy and water efficiency. The new green building standards and requirements are available online at www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building. The Province is exploring additional ways to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment by further improving water conservation, reducing energy use and promoting the use of more environmentally friendly construction materials for improved green building standards in BC. Greening the B.C. Building Code is one of the extensive steps being taken across government to meet the Province’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020.