Despite Millions of Dollars of Investment, the Downtown Eastside Remains Desolate
(Image courtesy of CBC)
The Downtown Eastside has become world famous for its high levels of poverty, drug use, and homelessness, and even after years of time and investment, the area still has not been revitalized.
This comes as the city released a report from the Deputy City Manager’s office that found that Vancouver spends $46.7 million per year on people who experience mental health and substance use issues and homelessness. These figures are estimates the city compiled in fall 2024 and does not include VPD costs that are incurred policing the area.
Businesses Consider Scaling Down DTES Operations
While the city deals with large monetary issues regarding the area, businesses are also feeling the pinch. The London Drugs located in the Woodward Building on 351 Abbott St may close soon, according to statements made by company President and COO Clint Mahlman in an interview with 1130 Newsradio.
Mahlman said that the safety of his employees is an important priority for the company and that numerous employees have reported being verbally and physically assaulted. The Abbot street location also has been losing money, upwards of $10 million since 2009, Mahlman stated.
This comes as the coffee chain JJ Bean Coffee Roasters closed its doors in the Woodward’s building back in 2023 and the supermarket Nester’s Market also considers shutting down its location in the famed building.
Mayor Sim’s Solutions Far From Accepted
Plans to revive the area from decay have not been exempt from partisanship. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s recent motion to freeze the construction of net-new supportive housing has led to backlash by members to his left on the city council and met with protests outside of City Hall.
Further fueling the fire is the leaked proposal memo that released Monday night that said Mayor Sim was considering relocating indigenous citizens from the Downtown Eastside. The idea was attacked by Vancouver City Councillor Peter Fry and by members of the BC Assembly of First Nations.
40 Years and Counting
With rents in Vancouver continuing to go up and crime still above pre-pandemic levels, the future of the Downtown Eastside remains unclear. While politicians may offer measures that they promise will benefit the area, Vancouver taxpayers are still waiting.
