Vancouver will try to elbow Port Metro Vancouver and the federal government out of running Granville Island, even if that means buying the land and operating it by itself, Mayor Gregor Robertson said Tuesday.

His Vision Vancouver colleagues unanimously endorsed his motion calling for city staff to explore all the options for how the city could take control of the popular tourist destination in False Creek.

The city’s move comes as the federal government considers turning over the island, with its famous market, shops and art theatres, to Port Metro Vancouver. The district, which is underneath Granville Bridge, is a restored industrial area that has been administered by a federally-appointed trust overseen by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

CMHC has said it wants to get out of the role of caring for Granville Island, which is still owned by the federal government. But plans to turn it over to Port Metro, the region’s vast and influential federal industrial port administration, set off alarm bells at City Hall. Robertson’s council has clashed with Port Metro in recent years over everything from access to waterfront and truck-generated traffic to its interest in expanding coal and oil train business.

Robertson’s plans to take over the island met with vehement opposition from the city’s three opposition councillors who worry that without first considering the financial implications the city might well be inheriting another mess similar to the Olympic Village. They urged caution.

Elizabeth Ball, one of two Non-Partisan Association councillors, said the city was rushing in without considering the long-term issues. A one-time owner of Carousel Theatre on the island, Ball cautioned Robertson to consider the large financial costs that might be imposed on the city.

But Robertson would have none of that, saying one of the city’s important districts should not be turned over to Port Metro. It may be an agency capable of managing Canadian and international trade, but it doesn’t have the experience to run a local neighbourhood, he said.

“The bottom line is to ensure there is local control and input on the future of Granville Island,” Robertson told reporters later. “I’d like to see options, and the Vision councillors were there with me in saying what our local options are. ... I don’t think the decision should be made in Ottawa.”

jefflee@vancouversun.com

Twitter:@sunciviclee

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