- McBarge
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The McBarge is currently anchored in Burrard Inlet near Vancouver, British Columbia
The McBarge, officially named the Friendship 500, was a McDonald's restaurant, built on a barge for Expo '86 in Vancouver, British Columbia.[1] Moored on Expo grounds in Vancouver's False Creek, it was the first floating McDonald's location in the world, intended to showcase future technology and architecture.[1][2] Although the floating design allowed for the barge to operate in a new location following the exhibition, the derelict McBarge has since 1991 been anchored empty in Burrard Inlet,[3] amid industrial barges and an oil refinery.[1]
Though disused and forgotten[1] for years, the barge is currently the centrepiece of a proposed waterfront development on the Fraser River in Mission, British Columbia, including a restaurant and marina.[4]
History
The restaurant was purpose-built 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.[2] 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.[5] It has since been anchored derelict in Burrard Inlet, north of Burnaby, British Columbia.[3][6]
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.[1][7] As of August 2010, the proposal enjoys local support, but awaits council approval.[8] 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.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e Toth, Christina (2010-08-20). "McBarge, a floating relic from Expo 86, gaining new friends on Facebook". Abbotsford Times. http://www.vancouversun.com/McBarge+floating+relic+from+Expo+gaining+friends+Facebook/3423547/story.html. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
- ^ a b Rudolph, Barbara; Stoler, Peter (1986-04-28). "Westward Ho to Expo 86". Time. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. http://www.webcitation.org/5nGkzprwF. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ a b Sandals, Leah (2010-01-13). "The innocence of a newborn McBarge". National Post. Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. http://www.webcitation.org/5nGly9iLm. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ "A vision for the Mission waterfront". Abbotsford News (Black Press). 2009-06-29. Archived from the original on 2009-12-14. http://google.com/search?q=cache:214zI6LGsu0J:www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/52026977.html%3Fperiod%3DW%26+http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/52026977.html&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ "McBarge floats to new site" (Pay-Per-View). Kitchener-Waterloo Record: p. B.4. 1991-07-11. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/therecord/access/514070021.html?dids=514070021:514070021&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+11,+1991&author=&pub=Kitchener+-+Waterloo+Record&edition=&startpage=B.4&desc=McBarge+floats+to+new+site. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ Lee, John (2009) (Google Books search). Walking Vancouver: 36 Walking Tours Exploring Spectacular Waterfront, Dynamic Neighborhoods, Hip Hangouts, and Tasty Diversions. Wilderness Press. p. 106. http://books.google.ca/books?id=6_iC-HEGBisC&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&source=bl&ots=CnFbnJCBrm&sig=__znVcHaGtfBjVSzSH5oP1yXwTs&hl=en&ei=CZ5pS7rvEs6ztgfQ6NTWBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ "Gastown developer eyes Mission waterfront". Abbotsford Times (Canwest). 2009-07-27. Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. http://www.webcitation.org/5nGlB04hV. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ Lewis, Brian (2010-08-22). "Expo 86 McBarge could dock in Mission". The Province. http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Expo+McBarge+could+dock+Mission/3428898/story.html. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
- ^ Howell, Mike (2009-01-08). "Of Olympic promises, shelter stats and the McBarge...". Vancouver Courier. http://communities.canada.com/vannet/blogs/12thandcambie/archive/2009/01/08/of-olympic-promises-shelter-stats-and-the-mcbarge.aspx. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
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