A two-block section of Yew Street will be closed for the summer starting later this month.
The stretch between Cornwall and West 1st avenues will become a pedestrian-only area, according to the City of Vancouver's site. North of the Yew and Cornwall intersection is Kitsilano Beach
"In response to a request from local businesses, we are piloting our first pedestrian-friendly open street on Yew Street between Cornwall Avenue and West 1st Avenue," states the project webpage.
The goal of the project is to allow safer walking and rolling access to businesses in the area and Kitsilano Beach, according to the city.
"If the pilot is successful, Yew Street could remain or return next summer as a pedestrian-friendly open street, with additional improvements added over time," states the city.
While the street is being closed normal traffic, emergency vehicles will still have access. There will also be specific times for delivery vehicles to stop on the street, accessing the area via laneways. Deliveries will be allowed between midnight and 4 p.m., leaving the restaurant-heavy area vehicle free during the dinner rush.
York Avenue, which intersects with Yew, will see some changes as well. Currently, it's one-way eastbound on the west side of Yew (so that traffic is forced to turn at Yew). Once the new rules are in place, York will be one-way westbound, and traffic will be allowed to cross Yew.
While this is the first pedestrian-friendly open street, the city has turned parts of some streets into plazas, including one at Granville Street and West 13th Avenue and one at Cambie Street and West 18th Avenue.
