This is Vancouver Why is a prime piece of Vancouver’s waterfront still empty after 40 years?
Feb 10, 2026
Geoff Meggs, former Vancouver city councillor and municipal politics commentator; Mike McDonnell, City Auditor General who audited 16 land sales; Gurpreet Kambo, CBC reporter on Vancouver land-use. They unpack why a prime False Creek waterfront stayed empty for 40 years, Concord Pacific’s stalled Concord Landing plan, viaduct removal costs and delays, and an audit finding potential millions left on the table in past land deals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Expo Land Still Undeveloped
- Northeast False Creek remains largely undeveloped 40 years after Expo 86 despite long-standing plans and deadlines.
- Concord Pacific proposed 5,000 homes in 12 towers but has not yet submitted a formal rezoning application.
Viaducts Are The Key Constraint
- The Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts are the critical obstacle to developing the Concord lands.
- Rising infrastructure and construction costs have roughly doubled the estimated cost to remove and replace them.
Hogan's Alley Waiting For Viaduct Removal
- Hogan's Alley Society signed a 2022 MOU to lease a block freed by viaduct removal for a Black cultural centre and housing.
- Their ability to deliver relies entirely on the viaducts being taken down.