By next spring, backhoes may be clanking along the Mamquam Blind Channel as a West Vancouver developer aims to start construction on a four-storey waterfront apartment building.
In February, John Doyle purchased the 1.5 acres which includes a water lot at the end of Winnipeg Street. His history with the property dates to 2008. At that time, he was hunting for investors for the property's former owner, Westmana.
The property was a part of larger proposal that included 1,300 housing units from Marina Estates southward to include the Squamish Yacht Club. The initiative never got off the ground. A Korean investor pulled out of all its North American projects, putting the brakes on the project, Doyle said.
On Sept. 13, 2010, the property's mortgage holder filed a petition for foreclosure on the land, which went to a court-ordered sale. That's when Doyle stepped in. The northern lot is the only portion of the Westmana project that was ready to go, Doyle said.
He has already started work on the project's presentation centre and expects the project's development permit to be completed within the next month.
The proposal is exactly the same as Westmana's previous Mireau development, with 61 units ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. Down the road, the plan calls for a marina, Doyle notes.
It is more of a waterfront resort property. It will appeal to a broader audience, Doyle said, noting that's what sets it apart from other Squamish residential developments. There isn't really that many waterfront properties with marine space in front in the Vancouver area.
As a part of the project, more than 200 feet of dike will be constructed. Once complete, the District of Squamish will control the dike, which will be part of a walkway stretching north-south along the channel shore. Doyle said he envisions connecting to the B.C. Rail Properties lands to the south.
At the moment, we are looking at purchasing more of the Westmana land down the coast, Doyle said.
The recent activity along the Blind Channel is positive for Squamish, Coun. Doug Race said, noting the project, which already has the proper zoning, had been sitting on the shelf for several years.
The B.C. Rail Properties land to the south of the project, Block 41 and 42, is mentioned in the district and Squamish Nation Intergovernmental Cooperation Accord, Race said. The agreement highlights the possibilities for joint ventures on the property and looks at using the lots for municipal purposes. But Race said he's unable to state whether the municipality is in negotiations with B.C. Rail Properties.
If we were, for one or the other or both, it is in a closed meeting and I couldn't say, he noted.
The Mireau development highlights the need for dredging of the channel, Race said. The issue reaches far beyond affecting a few rich yachties, he said. Opening up the channel not only resolves a safety issue, but will boost economic development downtown, he said.
People are really looking for places to go, Race said. They go to Bowen Island or they go to Gibsons. If they had a third destination in Howe Sound, I have no doubt, it would be very easy to fill.
Doyle has constructed residential developments in northern B.C. The Squamish proposal represents a smaller initiative than his previous work, Doyle said, noting that would change if the rest of the vacant Blind Channel land came into the fold.
View video of property
