British Columbia·Photos

Life under the Georgia viaduct

Vancouver City Council is debating whether to remove the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. The decision will impact many people who spend every day under the viaducts.

The underbelly of the viaducts is home to businesses, skateboards and homeless people

Below the viaduct's cement structures sits an old warehouse that houses a European food import business, a design lab and a building contractor.

If Vancouver city council decides to go ahead with the proposed removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, the warehouse will most likely be torn down. 

"That makes me sad to think that they will go down. Yes, it is a very old building, but it has a lot of character and a lot of history. I hope that they maintain, you know, what that character really means to this neighbourhood," said Alanna Rogers with Pacific Solutions.

The east side of the viaduct also acts as a shelter for homeless people, who will have to find a new place to set up tent if the viaducts are removed.

"I don't know, hopefully I can find some decent housing," said Chris McDougall, who has been living under the viaduct for over 10 years. 

The city's plan calls for new parks and two new blocks of affordable and social housing.

City council is holding a another round of public hearings, Tuesday and Thursday.


To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelled Life under the Georgia viaduct with the CBC's Rick Cluff on The Early Edition.

With files from Margaret Gallagher.