Car-free Sundays to return to Gastown’s Water Street this summer

The Water Street pedestrian zone will return on Sundays between early July and early September Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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Car-free Sundays is set to return to Water Street in Gastown this summer after the success of last year’s pilot, said a report going before Vancouver city council this week.

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The Water Street pedestrian zone will return on Sundays between early July and early September, one of a number of initiatives in a long-term plan to transform the historic downtown Vancouver neighbourhood.

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The Gastown public spaces plan envisions a “people-focused” Gastown with a “multimodal design” for Water Street and Maple Tree Square.

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The report outlines other actions, including a $20 to $25-million overhaul of Maple Tree Square at the junction of Water, Carrall and Powell Streets, a potential extension of two-way traffic on Cordova Street to the Powell Street overpass, and the “regularization” of the Sunday pedestrian zone on Water Street.

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The proposal follows two summer pilots that temporarily removed or reduced vehicle traffic on Water Street, Gastown’s main thoroughfare — trials that garnered popular support but also drew opposition from businesses.

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Many retailers and businesses along Water Street reported dramatic decreases in sales and foot traffic after the city turned three blocks of Water Street into a pedestrian-only zone in July and August 2024.

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Based on the feedback, the city adjusted its plan in 2025, closing Water Street to traffic only on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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According to the report, Sunday pedestrian volumes increased by 19 per cent last year compared to weekend numbers in 2024. Businesses also seem to favour the Sunday-only pedestrian zone, with 81 per cent of respondents in 2025 saying they wanted the car-free zone to return, compared to 59 per cent in 2024.

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A $20- to $25-million plan to overhaul Maple Tree Square is proposed as part of the plan Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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The report identified Maple Tree Square changes as a “first priority project” in a bid to transform the underutilized square into a more flexible space that could host car-free and pedestrian-only events, and enabling it to draw locals and tourists past the steam clock, a popular attraction, further into Gastown including Powell and Alexander streets, Trounce Alley and Blood Alley Square.

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If approved, staff would work with the Gastown Business Improvement Society, other businesses and residents on design decisions and construction impacts.

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Staff will also work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw First Nation on establishing a “cultural kiosk” at the square, which would tell the Nation’s story through information boards installed on a sculptural feature. The kiosk was identified as a project after the removal of the Gassy Jack statue from the square in 2022.

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The report also recommends conducting studies and engagement with businesses and TransLink on about extending two-way traffic on Cordova Street past Gore to the Powell Street overpass.

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