Six years after construction was suddenly stopped on a new parkade at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), it is now unclear if the structure will ever be built.
The parkade was part of a $9 billion expansion plan announced in 2018, but construction was halted in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was to have more than 2,000 stalls.
Now the current CEO of the airport, who was not involved with the original plans, says the parkade will probably never see a vehicle and might even be torn down.
YVR president and CEO Tamara Vrooman says transportation like the SkyTrain and ride-hailing have changed the way people get to the airport.
“We see fewer and fewer people travelling to YVR by car, and so that parkade in its current location and current size probably isn’t the highest and best use for that land going forward, so we’re taking a look at what we can do to make sure that our passengers and our staff have access to the terminal that they need,” she told Global News.
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In a statement, YVR said that ride share services now account for 24 per cent of all passenger trips to and from the airport and 65 per cent of passengers now arrive or depart by a mode of transportation other than a private car.
Vrooman said that if the parkade is demolished, the airport will recycle as much of the concrete as possible for other infrastructure projects.
“YVR has a responsibility to carefully steward capital investments and to make decisions based on current data and long‑term needs,” a statement from the airport read.
“Approximately $200 million has been spent to date. Continuing construction of a standalone parking structure would require a significant additional investment, which is no longer justified.
“Based on those realities, we are undertaking a thorough review of how to best utilize the location and the structure as currently built for other purposes to best serve passengers and airport operations over the long term.”
A spokesperson for the airport said it would cost about $200 million more to finish the parkade.
Sounds like their 2030 agenda. Less travel less meat ,you will own nothing and be happy . They already giving your land to the natives. …
We don’t travel there by car because there’s so little parking it’s exorbitant prices! More parking, lower prices, more choice, dedicated ride share area. The place is a nightmare!
Why not finish it and lower the price of parking, the high cost of parking is the reason we never park at the airport.
Vancity community bank did not do well in 2020 either.
I’m sure that it could be used for more than parking… get creative 🤔
Less people are parking there including myself is because they raised parking prices twice just in the last year and it cost 60$ a day to park there.
Greediness at its best.
Start a class action lawsuit against YVR for the return of passenger AIF’s the past 8 years for a failed project that did not help with passengers or the airport its self.
Unlimited revenue through Airport Improvement Fees make the wasted money inconsequential. Standby for another AIF increase.
She has obviously never tried to park with the flying public. Parking is a nigtmare
nightmare at YVR and it isnt likely to change in the short term.
This would make a perfect shelter for the unhoused.
Um, hello, you’re parking fees are too high. That’s why people Uber and take train. Drop the fees and presto! Parking garage full! CEO is really that naive? Correlation doesn’t equal causation. Serious lack of understanding here or pure politics.
I think this is the right choice. The parkade is rarely full, the Skytrain is always bustling and many people are bussing in or utilising evos and other car/rideshare services, on top of regular bus services. Even if you want to drive in and leave your vehicle near the airport, the parking at the airport exists and Templeton is one Skytrain stop away which has swathes of parking.
Also, sounds like they have to make up $200 million. They have to Charge us somehow. Even more increases to parking costs …. “Airport Fees”….. etc.
Parking is too expensive. Consumers have no choice but to ride share. Lower parking rates would encourage travellers to park and fly. The CEO has it all wrong terrible operations and management for the consumer and taxpayer. Shame.
The reason people aren’t parking there as much is because of the ever rising prices. $500 to park for a week? Or $60 for an Uber there and back for me, cost depending on your location. God forbid you have to extend your trip for another week.
Seriously, what a waste of money! I guess she’s never tried to park on a busy day and pay the $65/day fee? Unbelievable!
That CEO a has it all wrong.
Maybe if you didn’t charge $150 a day and were more like $150 a week like Abby more people would use the parking!!
Are they going refund us all the airport improvement fees that paid for kit?