h Granville, what would the residents of Vancouver have to chat casually about if you were perfect? The weather? The Olympics? Pig farmers? It’s all been talked to death. The heated debates and discussions surrounding Vancouver’s most notorious street have kept coffee shops in business since the 70’s. And this week is no different. The city has just approved a $20-million cosmetic lift on the old avenue to try and invigorate tourist activity. The big plans include new street furniture, a walk of fame and new pavement (yay!).

The redesign scheme was created by American street designer Allan Jacobs; author of two books, graduate of Harvard, and professor at Berkeley. The design features what Allan calls “flex boulevards;” a straightened out version of the current looping sidewalks that serve as both car parking and pedestrian walkways. Leave it to a true professional to mediate a forty year debate.

Granville first went car free in 1974. The curvy pedestrian walkways were an improvement on the downtrodden drug den that existed there before, but local businesses still raised a fuss and have been fussing ever since. They will fuss no more once Jacobs’ plan comes into fruition. Cars and people will have their appropriate spaces depending on the event at hand.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope they spend it well.

The more recent decision to stuff all the eateries and bars into a three block radius on Granville, called the Granville Entertainment Zone, also fueled the fire. Cars or no cars? To be or not to be? Jacob’s came up with a third option: both.

There is already talk amongst artists of how to best liven up the new square. Some are talking about live art shows within; others would like to see live music. With a $20-million budget, whatever they decide will happen.

It will be a fine day when Granville ceases to be such an eyesore. The metamorphosis won’t happen overnight, but with a lot of work, a lot of love, and $20-million in the bank, the toad of a street that is Granville may just become a Prince. –J.T.