The District of Squamish has acquired a four-acre Mamquam Blind Channel waterfront lot, a key piece in developing the community's waterfront, says the mayor.
There was a loud hurray from council on Tuesday (April 23), as District of Squamish officials announced at the Committee of the Whole meeting that the municipality had closed the deal on four acres of property east of Loggers Lane, between Victoria and Main streets.
Worth $3.6 million, the former B.C. Rail Properties parcel breaks down to two acres of upland and two acres of waterlot, Mayor Rob Kirkham said. With the help of the province's Sponsored Crown Grant Program, the district acquired the land at no cost, on the condition that the property is used for municipal purposes, district spokesperson Christina Moore wrote in a statement.
The property represents a significant opportunity for Squamish, as it establishes a key portal connecting downtown to the waterfront, Kirkham noted. As the district makes plans for the parcel, it could help spur future development along the Blind Channel, he said.
We just started our engine, Kirkham said.
The announcement was made as council sat down to discuss Squamish's downtown transformation initiative. After an ongoing history of district studies, municipal staff are looking to get the shovel in the ground for some quick wins and projects for next year's centennial celebrations.
It's all a part of re-energizing Squamish's heart, said Chris Bishop, the district's director of planning.
We want to make the downtown a place where everyone wants to be, he said.
It's not a project on which the district can go it alone, Coun. Patricia Heintzman said. The community's various groups will have to get aboard to make any revitalization projects successful, she said.
District planner Elaine Naisby suggested the district set up a downtown action group. A key part of the projects is ensuring that a broad base of the community is engaged and providing input, she said.
With the four-acre lot under district's ownership, municipal staff are continuing discussions with CN Rail on allowing public access across the rail line. An opening date of the new property has not been confirmed, Moore noted, as remediation and tidying up work must be completed.
There is no concrete plans for the property, Moore said, but it will be looked at as a part of the broader downtown transformation.
District officials invite the community to join them in discussions on the downtown transformation, starting with a series of webinars hosted by product development experts Destination Development International.
The first webinar, 20 Ingredients of an Outstanding Destination, will be screened at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co.'s Garibaldi Room on Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. For more information visit www.squamish.ca
Check out the webinar -
