by Charna Plottel, Cavell Gardens, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
In keeping with our articles in “Around the ‘Hood” we have gone to the extreme western boundary of Mount Pleasant to visit Vancouver’s elegant Art Deco City Hall.
Built in 1936 at a cost of $1 million while there were bread-lines elsewhere in the City and when many people found it difficult to come up with the house rent on time, it stands as a symbol of then-mayor G.G. (Gerry) McGeer’s devotion to Mount Pleasant where he was born and grew up. The story is told that, as a bare-footed youngster, he herded his father’s cows on the family farm in the district. (A block or two east of Tea Swamp Park)
City Hall stands eleven stories high. As one enters from the north or south entrance, one finds oneself in the Rotunda, the walls of which are of beige marble imported from Italy. The ceiling of the rotunda is at the second floor level and is mirrored.
The two elevators have beautiful wood inlays on the interior walls and have a special heritage designation.
Much of the business of the City is done on the third floor. here one finds the offices of the Mayor and Council, the City Clerk, and City Manager, and three committee meeting rooms.
One could write an article on the Council Chamber alone. Council meets here twice a month on Tuesdays. There are seats for the public on the same level as the Council and also additional public seats in a balcony. The Chamber is a blend of heritage and high tech. The entire interior of the Chamber has a heritage designation and features a computerized sound and project system as well as an indirect lighting system for television.
The short hallway leading from the foyer to the Council Chamber has photographs of all the City mayors from 1886 to the present day. The foyer contains pictures of the current Mayor, the Premier, and the Prime Minister, as well as the Governor-General of Canada.
The carpeted foyer of this floor is where news conferences and other events are held. It is a public space and has display cases in which are displayed the City of Vancouver Mace, with is the symbol of City Council’s authority, and various gifts presented to the city by our sister cities. There is also a long case clock presented to the City by our sister city, Yokohama, Japan.
On the second floor is the room which controls all the traffic lights in Vancouver. This room has a blank of screens on one wall showing traffic in various areas of the city. Unfortunately, the room was unattended when we were there but I have since had a phone call from the attendant and this might be an article for a future issue of Cavell Voices.
My appreciation to Cas Lindsey and Paul Pulle, each of whom drove me to City Hall and remained with me during the visits.
LivingInMountPleasant.com is very grateful for the contributions of the Cavell Gardens residents for their contributions to the LiveInMountPleasant.com site content for our readers.