The Vancouver Park Board voted Monday night to make two changes to the city's waterfront.

A plan to tear down the historic wharf at Jericho Beach was approved, and plans to build the new English Bay Bistro in the West End are also going ahead.

The Jericho Marginal Wharf was built in the 1930s and was once used by the Royal Canadian Air Force as a float plane base.

But in recent years the wharf has been crumbling and suffering from decay and would require extensive repairs to remain standing, according to park staff.

Mike Cotter, the general manager of the Jericho Sailing Centre Association, located next to the wharf, supported the move to take it down.

"The JSCA supports the Park Board concept … because we believe it provides the most flexibility for future ocean access for all people in Vancouver," said Cotter.

The board voted to destroy all but the most eastern part of the wharf, which will be repaired and upgraded to create a viewpoint extending out over the water. One or two interpretive signs would outline the wartime origins of the deck and its postwar evolution.

The remaining area would be restored to a natural beach. The removal will cost $1.9 million.

English Bay Bistro plans approved

Meanwhile on Monday night the Park Board also approved a preliminary plan for the development of the new English Bay Bistro on the waterfront in the city's West End.

The next steps for that project will be the filing of a development permit application and issuing a request for proposals for a development partner to operate the facility, said staff, who expect the new facility should be open for summer 2010.