Costco is the anchor tenant in a new Downtown Vancouver mixed-used development that partially opened November 2006. Besides going mixed-use, Costco also added underground parking to adapt to its new urban environment.
"The $7 million project opened in Vancouver, British Columbia, in November, part of a giant mixed-use complex that also includes four residential towers with 900 units."
"Costco, known for its bulk merchandise and no-frills ambiance, made a couple of concessions to its urban locale, including underground parking and more ready-to-eat offerings."
"The 134,000-square-foot store has approximately 700 parking spaces on two below-grade levels. Two more levels of parking on top of the store will serve the residential towers when they're completed this year. A fifth tower with around 180 affordable units is planned for later."
Editor's Note: Access to the source article requires subscription.
Thanks to Megan Ritchie Saffitz
FULL STORY: Tight Fit for a Big Box: Costco Builds in Downtown Vancouver (Subscription required)

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure
After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?
In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure
New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions