$1B False Creek development plan surprises residents

Some False Creek residents say they were blindsided yesterday when Concord Pacific announced plans for a new $1 billion development next to the Cambie Bridge and BC Place.

The developer wants to construct eight new buildings at Smithe and Pacific streets and re-brand the waterfront  neighbourhood in downtown Vancouver as False Creek Central.

When it's all finished, 1,300 new condos will be added to the area along with 90,000 square feet of commercial space, all part of a plan to add density around BC Place.

Not all of the eight new buildings have been approved by the city, but it all comes as a surprise to Fern Jeffries with the False Creek Residents' Association.

"We've been sitting at a planning table together with the City of Vancouver and the major developers in the area," said Jeffries.

"The purpose of that group is to vet all plans and to have community-based discussions before anything gets finalized, but unfortunately Concord didn't bring those plans to our committee."          

Jeffries hopes to learn more about False Creek Central today at a meeting with developers.