City of Powell River Council is wondering about the status of the vacated barge terminal adjacent to the south harbour.
During a review of the city’s action list during the Tuesday, August 18, committee of the whole meeting, Councillor Maggie Hathaway had questions about an item pertaining to the terminal. Coming from a December 15, 2011 council meeting, the action item stated: commence discussions with the Crown regarding divestiture of 4315 Marine and adjacent property to the city.
The planned action was removal of the existing industrial building.
“Did we not make a decision to not remove that building?” asked Hathaway. “The action is no longer relevant and we need to move forward with some discussion with Crown now that we have decided to leave the building there.”
Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer, said city staff members are not yet aware of potential changes to redevelop the site.
“Where it is right now, Coast Guard has approached us about taking a portion,” said Fraser. “They have not gotten back to us yet about that, but if that’s mutually acceptable, this would fall off as a divestiture; it would be retained and developed.
“Coast Guard has said, from the start, they would never want the whole building so it does give us options for the rest.”
Hathaway said her point is that whether the building stays or goes, it is not related to speaking to the Crown about divestiture. She said the city could still go ahead and apply for divestiture whether or not there is a building on the property.
Mayor Dave Formosa said the way he understands this file, he thought the city had applied for divestiture from the Crown and that it was complete or in the process of completion. He said the divestiture designation for the site would be for park, the city would get the property, and if there was any subsequent commercial activity, the city would have to go back to the province and report it.
“At that time it would be a negotiation between them and us on what revenues we are receiving,” said Formosa.
A request for proposals for removal of the building was being prepared earlier this year but Formosa requested it be put on hold because a party interested in occupying the building had contacted him.
Subsequent to that, Formosa said the Coast Guard made an approach to the city to lease a portion of the building. In all, the sailing club, the Coast Guard and Cooper Yachts are talking about the prospect of joint occupancy, according to the mayor.
“To the best of my knowledge, the director of infrastructure is working with Cooper Yachts, the sailing club and the Coast Guard for putting out some kind of request,” Formosa said. “I think it’s a work in progress. Staff is working on it with these groups and they are hoping the Coast Guard makes a move so that the other moves can happen.”
Formosa said he, like Hathaway, would like to know the status of the application to the Crown for divestiture. Council will seek clarification through staff.
