McBarge
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The McBarge, officially named the Friendship 500, was a McDonald's restaurant, built on a 57-metre-long[1] barge for Expo '86 in Vancouver, British Columbia.[2] Moored on Expo grounds in Vancouver's False Creek, it was the second floating McDonald's location in the world (first being in St Louis, Missouri), intended to showcase future technology and architecture.[2][3] Although the floating design allowed for the barge to operate in a new location following the exhibition, the derelict McBarge has been anchored empty in Burrard Inlet[4] since 1991, amid industrial barges and an oil refinery.[2]
Disused and forgotten[2] for years, the barge was the centrepiece of a failed proposal for a waterfront development on the Fraser River in Mission, British Columbia, including a restaurant and marina.[5]
History
The restaurant was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. for Expo '86 and was one of five McDonald's locations on the Expo grounds, all of which were constructed for a total of $12 million.[3] It was initially intended to be used as a McDonald's restaurant after Expo '86, but the barge remained empty at the Expo grounds until 1991, when the new owner of the grounds forced McDonald's to remove it.[6] It has since been anchored derelict in Burrard Inlet, north of Burnaby, British Columbia.[4][7]
In June 2009, the McBarge's current owner, Gastown developer Howard Meakin, submitted a proposal to the Mission city council for a waterfront development on the Fraser River, with the former McBarge as the centrepiece. Named "Sturgeon's on the Fraser", the development would include multiple restaurants and a marina complex, including paddlewheeler excursions and float plane service to Victoria and Nanaimo.[2][8] As of August 2010, the proposal enjoyed local support, but awaited council approval.[9] Concerns over float plane noise and other environmental issues meant the development was ultimately rejected.[1]
Other proposals that have been put forward without owner interest include using the barge as a homeless shelter to alleviate overcrowding in Vancouver's current temporary shelters.[10]
In December 2015, Meakin announced that the barge would soon be leaving Burrard Inlet after nearly 30 years. The barge is scheduled for a $4.5-million refit in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, before being relocated to an undisclosed location.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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