Interfor sells channelside property to Westmana
Sylvie Paillard
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Squamish took another step toward a "vibrant downtown" last week when Westmana Development announced plans to build more residential and commercial units along the Mamquam Blind Channel.
"Development of the Blind Channel on the downtown side is key to the development of our community," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "You combine that with what's going on [across the Channel] with Pridham and what's going on with the oceanfront and what's going on in all parts of downtown and it means a very vibrant downtown."
On June 30, Interfor announced it has sold its remaining waterfront property along Loggers Lane from the Howe Sound Women's Centre to the Squamish Yacht Club. Westmana, a company already familiar to the community for such developments as Spectacle and Bracken Arms Estates, purchased the property for an undisclosed sum and now has big plans for the downtown waterfront. Plans are in the works for about 1,300 residential units and commercial space as well as infrastructure to make the waterfront more accessible.
"In our visioning we've included at least two or three piers and docks that would go into the water," said one of the project principles Rene David. "We are in discussion with, and tentatively have plans for a seaplane terminal. We're looking at a heliport landing as well. And looking at - but nothing confirmed - a passenger hub for other transportation."
The Women's Centre and Sea to Sky Community Services share a building on the property and staff said they hope to come to an understanding with the new owners so they can continue servicing residents in the downtown.
"We knew that it [the sale] was only a matter of time," said Melany Crowston of the Women's Centre. "We have some ideas in mind, we'd like to keep the building, maybe move it somewhere. Will there be some space somewhere that this can go? Who knows what will transpire over the next while."
David said Westmana is trying to follow the Official Community Plan (OCP) for the downtown and although developers haven't yet had a chance to speak with the property's current tenants, they intend to deal with the social service centres in a socially responsible way.
"There shouldn't be an issue with them mostly because, from previous background as a socially responsible developer, we try and make sure that everyone's made whole or better," said David. "They'll be well taken care of."
Westmana will contribute property and amenities to the District of Squamish as part of the rezoning process. The five lots currently hosting the yacht club will be handed to the district, and another property Westmana is considering purchasing may be the site of a new seniors' housing project and women's centre, said David.
In the meantime, Westmana wants to "build hype" and encourage use of the property with a temporary dry log sort, trail and waterfront promenade and public market, which is tentatively proposed to complement the Farmers' Market.
"We're trying to create hype around the project where we can encourage vendors to sell their wares, produce and goods in an area similar to Granville Island," said David.
Westmana is still undergoing a visioning and master planning process. The next stage of planning will include discussions with tenants, neighbours and the community as a whole, said David.
Westmana's downtown presence continues to grow with yet another downtown project to be introduced during an open house Thursday (July 13) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Residents are invited to the Howe Sound Inn to hear about Westmana's Southern Oceanfront Gateway Project proposed for Vancouver Street at Cleveland Avenue.
