Vancouver 2015-2018 Capital Plan proposes major investments

The City of Vancouver’s draft 2015-2018 Capital Plan, which will be presented to Council on July 9, identifies $1.08 billion of capital investment priorities for the City for the next four years with a focus on affordable housing, childcare, and transportation.

Highlights from the draft plan:

• The addition of 2,550 non-market housing units
• 1,000 new childcare spaces
• The addition of three new parks for Downtown South, Marpole, and East Fraser Lands
• A variety of transportation investments that will prioritizes the safe, comfortable, and efficient movement of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and trucks/train

Renewing existing infrastructure

$730 million, or two-thirds of the 2015-2018 Capital Plan, invests in the renewal of existing city infrastructure, including:

• Britannia Community Centre
• Fire Hall #17 at Knight and 54th Avenue
• 60 km of sewer separation
• 10 km of sidewalks
• Sport fields
• Sport courts

Guided by the 2015-2024 Capital Strategic Outlook, the main goal of the capital planning process is to develop a capital investment plan which balances the needs to:

1. Maintain infrastructure and facilities in an appropriate state of good repair
2. Optimize the network of public amenities to best serve residents and businesses
3. Advance Council and community priorities within the City’s long-term financial capacity

The recommended $1.08 billion plan includes the following investment proposals:

• Affordable housing: $125 million
• Childcare: $30 million
• Parks, open spaces, and recreation: $125 million
• Libraries, social, and cultural facilities: $40 million
• Transportation: $150 million
• Utilities and public works: $325 million
• City facilities, including public safety facilities: $15 million
• Facility maintenance and renovations: $65 million
• Equipment and technology: $115 million
• Emerging priorities and inflation contingency: $95 million

Based on the City’s capital spending rate of $250 million – $270 million per year, the 2015-2018 Capital Plan will be funded from:

• $400 million debenture borrowing
• $155 million pay-as-you-go (including $90 million capital from revenue)
• $530 million of other funding from the City (e.g. reserves)
• Other orders of government and community partners