A stretch of Granville Street will be closed to almost all traffic for the duration of the FIFA Men’s World Cup this summer.

Instead, residents and the hundreds and thousands of soccer fans visiting the city can expect live music, expanded patios, art installations and family-friendly activities, the City of Vancouver announced on Wednesday.

Five blocks, from West Georgia Street in the north to Davie Street in the south, will be pedestrian-only from June 11 to July 20.

The cross streets — including Robson, Smithe, Nelson and Helmcken streets — will remain open to traffic.

“This will create more room for people to come together, watch a game and celebrate, all while supporting businesses that bring Granville Street to life every day,” said Jane Talbot, president and CEO of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, during a media event announcing the program.

The area will be free and open to the public.

Transit buses travelling through Granville Street will be re-routed to Seymour and Howe streets, and supported by “new 24/7 bus lanes” that will run for the duration of the program, the city says.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said it’s important to ensure “the World Cup can be enjoyed by everyone who calls the city home,” whether or not they have tickets to see a match.

“The Granville Street Pedestrian Zone will be an inviting place with free, family-friendly activities and events,” he said at the media event.

“It’ll also provide guests with the chance to interact with soccer fans from around the world, and we can really show them what Canadian hospitality looks like in action.”

Vancouver is hosting seven FIFA Men’s World Cup matches at B.C. Place. The first game is scheduled for June 13 between Australia and a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

The city says it expects to welcome more than 350,000 visitors in Vancouver across the seven match days.

Temporary road closures will be in effect, while some roads will be designated ‘local traffic only’ — restricted to drivers accessing properties on a given street — around B.C. Place and False Creek.

Sim said the city will work with the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services to ensure safety around the Pedestrian Zone.

Sim pressed about comments on Orr

Later in the event, Sim was pressed on his comments about COPE Coun. Sean Orr.

Last week, Sim said 16 times that he had apologized to Orr for his comments, where he claimed Orr was distributing illegal drugs in Vancouver on Christmas Day.

Sim said his comments came after being shown a photo he didn’t independently verify.

On Wednesday, Sim reiterated he had “unreservedly apologized” to Orr.

“I fully acknowledge that I made a mistake,” he said, after affirming he intends to run for mayor again.

“I’ve owned up to it. I’m not hiding away from that.”

Vancouver Coun. Sean Orr has said the apology doesn’t go far enough, and that it didn’t address the harm and reputational damage he had sustained.