New Richmond Night Market in line for permit

Richmond council will be hearing from two proponents who want to set up night markets in Richmond this summer.

The fate of a proposed Asian-themed night market on Duck Island will likely be decided at an upcoming public hearing.

Raymond Cheung’s Firework Productions Ltd. is proposing to operate a 308-vendor market at the north end of No. 3 Road on a site known as Duck Island, previously home to a cement manufacturing plant. City staff say all technical requirements have been met, and are recommending approval of a permit valid for three years.

“The subject property is well serviced by public transit and the event organizer has also provided the required amount of off-street parking and traffic management measures to support the night market,” said planner Kevin Eng in his report.

City council is expected to vote Feb. 27 on whether to send the application to public hearing March 19 at city hall.

Cheung intends to operate the Richmond Night Market Fridays to Sundays from May 18 to Oct. 8 this year, operating as late as 1 a.m. on Saturday nights during the summer.

According to Cheung’s application, 1,150 parking spots will be available to market attendees—500 of which could be pay parking. Cheung hopes to lure customers via public transit, as Bridgeport Station is 500 metres away, staff note.

Next to the site is River Rock Casino Resort, whose operator sent the city a three-page letter outlining its concerns.

Chuck Keeling, executive director of stakeholder relations for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which operates the casino, called the market’s parking plan “unrealistic.”

“We sincerely want to work with the night market proponents and that we welcome development in the surrounding neighbourhood that may be synergistic with the River Rock Casino. We remain unconvinced at this time, however, that this is a realistic outcome...” he wrote.

Keeling stressed if parking isn’t substantially the same as what the casino offers in its two parkades—free, of a firm surface, lit, convenient—“it will be virtually impossible to avoid a material impact” on casino parkades.

He said access to the casino would be impeded by market traffic on River Road—and pay parking could also drive market customers into casino parkades.

“Our two parkades are near capacity now during out prime operating periods, and any decrease in visitation because of a lack of parking or perceived traffic congestion will compromise business levels, which includes the stream of revenue the city currently receives from the operation.”

Meanwhile, Lions Communications is pushing forward with plans for a fourth Summer Night Market at 12631 Vulcan Way.

On Feb. 10, Lions, led by Paul Cheung, submitted an application to the city for a new operating permit. Staff, who noted the operator’s previous permit expired last year, have yet to review the application.