Vancouver city council has asked staff to look into getting a big sign that says "Vancouver."
Inspired by the sign that was placed near Canada Place in Coal Harbour spelling out the city's name in red letters covered in light bulbs, Vancouver city councillor Peter Meiszner brought forth a motion to create a permanent sign on March 13.
In his motion, Meiszner said the sign was a popular photo spot and already an "iconic landmark and symbol for our city."
The temporary sign was placed along the Coal Harbour waterfront with North Vancouver and the mountains as a backdrop. It was part of the Liven Up event this past holiday season and remained until the end of February. The sign was not designed to be a permanent fixture.
Also at the end of February, Meiszner announced his intentions to make it permanent as a way to encourage and support the city's tourism industry, just before it was removed.
While his motion noted there were calls for the sign to remain, response on social media to his idea was mixed.
Meiszner was vocal about how important it would be to get a sign during the March 13 public hearing, but the motion isn't for the immediate placement of a sign.
It's for city staff to research the idea and report back before the winter with ideas for the location, how to pay for it, and how it would be implemented. It also directs staff to consult with local groups including local First Nations.
During the meeting, support for the sign motion was voiced by representatives of the Downtown Vancouver BIA, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and Destination Vancouver.
Royce Chwin, president of Destination Vancouver, quoted William Shakespeare's line "a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet."
"The power of destination signs is incredible, and we've seen this around the globe," he said. "Destination signs have transformed ordinary places into icons."
He also brought up the sign as a part of reconciliation.
"A Vancouver sign is not simply a landmark, but it's a symbol on our journey towards reconcili-action showcasing our dedication to inclusivity and respect for the land and peoples that came before us," he said.
Lindsay Fernandes from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade said the sign would "enhance the city's appeal as a tourist destination."
