Almost 40 years after Expo 86, why the main property by the water along the northeast of False Creek was not developed?
This is a question of the Minister of Housing of the BC, Ravi Kahlon, posed on Friday because he suggested that he was “unacceptable” that the site remained unlikely decades after the end of the fair.
“When people in the community find it difficult to accommodate and see a plot of land that is quite important sold to private interest almost 40 years ago and still no action, I think people have The right to be worried, “Kahlon told Global News.
“It has become an example of how we cannot have housing built.”
Concord Pacific acquired the province’s land after the 1986 World Exposition, but the property has been seated for decades.
The land currently houses a pair of parking lots between the seafront and the viaducts, which have sometimes hosted events such as Cirque du Soleil.
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Earlier this month, Concord revealed a proposal to build 12 laps with 5,000 houses on the site.
The Concord Plan for the Region, nicknamed “Concord Landing”, is to link Georgia Street directly in Boulevard Pacific as a main path in the region, by replacing the viaducts.
It also includes a new park by the water of 14 acres.
But this project depends on the elimination of Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. The city approved their withdrawal 10 years ago – but no formal plan has never been advanced and their withdrawal remains unsuccessful.
“Historically, we have not been able to develop 15% of the expo lands, because it was linked to the 2010 Olympic Games, the study of the viaduct and the next FIF World Cup From 2026 “, Concord Pacific Senior-Vice of planning, Matt Meehan told Global News in a statement.
“We have delivered more than 10,000 houses on exhibition lands and we currently have around 10,000 houses under construction; mainly in the low continent. We look forward to developing 15% of the last percent of the Expo site. We welcome any help from the province to help advance the project. »»
Kahlon said the province was sufficiently frustrated by the development rate which was ready to examine the initial agreements in the 1988 lands agreement between the province, the city and the Concorde, and did not exclude disputes.
He said he wanted all the parties to the table to accept a plan that could see the work start at the end of the year.
“All the necessary parts are there, this is what is frustrating on this subject,” he said.
“The British Columbia Housing has arrived at the table with affordable housing options as well as part of the plan.”
The province, however, seems little willing to contribute to the cost of eliminating viaducts. Concord indicates that it will contribute $ 110 million to demolition, while another developer will also contribute $ 100 million.
The estimated cost to eliminate viaducts was $ 438 million in 2018, before the recent inflation combat which experienced budgets for major balloon works in a spectacular manner.
The city of Vancouver has not offered a direct answer to questions about the question of whether the taxpayer will remain to cover the rest.
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