You’ve likely heard a lot of talk about the Vancouver Art Gallery moving. We think it’s a great idea if they’ve truly run out of space, and we’re stoked that the Museum of Vancouver might be taking over the old courthouse pile in the city’s navel because, let’s face two facts: (1) the Museum of Vancouver does awesome programming (2) it’s currently located behind the city’s left earlobe (2). Anyway, the City unanimously approved the Art Gallery move back in April and there’s been lots of humming and hawing ever since on where (and if) it should go (the official word is Larwill Park, which is right next to Where The Hell Is Larwill Park*). You might even remember the Condo King, Bob Rennie, weighing in the subject for the CBC: “If Rennie had his way, the iconic front of the post office would be used to create a 60,000-square-foot gallery space, while the rest of the building would be used for retail and condos.” I see what you did there, Bob. No thanks.

Why not put the new VAG somewhere where the likes of Rennie and his ilk couldn’t reach it, like in the middle of False Creek, or floating out near Crab Park? No retail, no condos, just art. In China, local architecture firm MAD has proposed a design for the Pingtang Art Museum located on Pingtang island (pictured above). It will “house all of the nation’s prized artifacts and will be part of a hub which serves to facilitate trade and cultural relations between Taiwan.” Think McBarge, only write large and with a much better design and improved food. The dragon boaters might complain about it being a serious obstacle (damned aquatic NIMBYs), but they could paddle around it no problem.

* 688 Cambie St., a 1.8-acre site, located at Cambie and Georgia (and never mind the viaducts).

OTHER CIVIC IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS