The city staff recommendation for an extensive redesign of the Vancouver Art Gallery's north plaza has been approved. The site, once the home of one-off protests like Occupy and the annual 4-20, will be paved over and bordered by maple trees.

A new bus shelter along Howe Street is also included in the design, along with benches and movable planters.

Vancouver city council voted unanimously on June 29 to award the contract to Jacob Bros. Construction for an estimated $5.7 million, the lowest bid from the five applicants.

The goal of the redesign, as detailed in a staff report that went to council, is to “improve accessibility by eliminating level changes and providing convenient seating. The eleven trees removed in April are being replaced by maples, to “continue the avenue of maples on the Hornby St. side of Robson Square,” the report explains. 

Architectural renderings can be found in the gallery above.