The politics of Woodward's

Civic elections are two days away, and a marketing push for the flagship Woodward’s redevelopment project has also shifted into high gear.

Coincidence? NPA mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan isn't so sure.

“I think it’s very interesting that the advertisement for Woodward’s has come out just before the election,” Sullivan said at a press conference this morning, after he was shown a slick two-page ad in yesterday’s Vancouver Sun. “I think there may be some effort to talk up the Woodward’s project in anticipation of this election.”

Of course, prominent local realtor Bob Rennie is a strong supporter of Vision Vancouver’s Jim Green. His company, Rennie Marketing Systems, is involved in the redevelopment of Woodward’s in the Downtown Eastside, a massive, but risky venture that is seen as a legacy of Jim Green and the COPE/Vision council.

But Green said he nor his party have anything to do with this week’s timely promotion of Woodward’s, a controversial project which supporters predict will save the troubled Downtown Eastside, but whose detractors say could become a financial burdern to the city.

Meanwhile, Sullivan confirmed he would not try and halve the number of social housing units in the multi-purpose development if he becomes mayor, as he had previously hinted.

Related links:
For a pre-election Frances Bula article on Woodward's, click here.
For the City of Vancouver's overview of the project, click here.
For the snazzy new website for the Woodward's project, click here.