By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct. 10, 2013
(SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO)
Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) has only picked the companies that will develop the Oceanfront lands, but there is no ‘sale’ yet, says Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham.
“There are no financial details yet, as there is no “sale,”” Mayor Kirkham said.
“The negotiations will now take place and a sale will happen upon completion of the negotiations.” Mayor Rob Kirkham
He said at this point the two development companies, Matthews Southwest Developments (MSW), and Bethel Lands Corporation (Bethel), have been named, but nothing has been finalised yet, when it comes to finances.
“The negotiations will now take place and a sale will happen upon completion of the negotiations,” he said.
“The negotiations are expected to be complete by mid 2014.”
Kirkham also said that seven expressions of interest were received following the international marketing efforts of Cushman and Wakefield.
Of those seven, two were selected to move to the proposals stage, and were asked to submit detailed proposals.
He didn’t reveal the name of the other five companies, but said the two proposals went through a comprehensive review process by SODC and were presented to the council this Tuesday.
“MSW/Bethel’s proposal was chosen as the one that offered the best opportunity for Squamish,” he said.
It’s been ten years since the then Mayor Ian Sutherland and council managed to buy the Oceanfront land for $3.
VIDEO of Denise Imbeau interviewing the then Mayor Ian Sutherland, courtesy of Squamish Historical Society.
Since then, the land has been a battleground for conflicting egos and political ideas.
The latest announcement on the Oceanfront came yesterday, with SODC picking Matthews Southwest Developments (MSW), and Bethel Lands Corporation (Bethel) as developers for the Oceanfront lands.
“The SODC is very pleased to have attracted such a large development company who has completed major, transformative projects in Dallas, Calgary and Ontario,” said SODC Vice-Chair Gregg Smyth.
“MSW brings an exceptional level of expertise to our community, which coupled with Bethel’s local knowledge, produces a very strong team.”
In a press relese, district said MSW is a developer whose roots began as a family business in Ontario, and is now involved in projects in Canada, the USA and Mexico, and headquartered in Lewisville, Texas.
With offices in Dallas, Calgary, and Mississauga, Ontario, MSW has extensive experience in the redevelopment of brownfield sites including Dallas’ South Side Development, and the recent completion of the $1.4 billion Bow development in Calgary.
Bethel Land Corp. is a Squamish-based development company who has been the principal behind a number of mid-sized projects totaling approximately $102 million in the Sea to Sky Corridor over the past decade.
The MSW/Bethel proposal plans to follow the District of Squamish Sub-Area Plan for the Oceanfront Lands, which was developed with extensive community involvement.
Craig Davidiuk says
All the stuff I thought would happen 5 years ago, is happening now. What an awesome time to live here.
Rick says
So what is this going to cost us the tax payer? Same crap….different player?
David Lassmann says
Good news I guess, if you think that the land being developed is a good idea in the first place. I wonder if anyone has had the sense to do a cost/benefit analysis for the District of Squamish. Does this mean we will get our $10,000,000.00 back?
Dave says
Rick. ….Really no sense in “crying over spilt milk”, whatever your or my druthers might have been or are.
Re. this quote from the above article: “The MSW/Bethel proposal plans to follow the District of Squamish Sub-Area Plan for the Oceanfront Lands, which was developed with extensive community involvement.”
So let it be and hope that it will pay for itself, as much as any development which has proceeded to add to the richness of our town in the past. If we keep twisting turning and wringing our hands, nothing will be done (result: even more debt).
David Lassmann says
More to the point Rick, in my opinion, is a much quoted comment from a philospher named George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In my lifetime I have seen some elected governments play at being capitalists with the public’s money, usually with poor results. (Remember when the NDP developed the Fast Cats?) Some things are better left to professionals. (I do not recommend do-it-yourself surgery.)
Craig says
George Santayana also said:
“We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible.”
From what I understand the SODC is run by professionals and this update shows they are still pushing forward, making progress on an ambitious vision for our great town.
It’s always easy to find fault in others ideas, works, processes or methods. It’s much harder to have a big vision and take all the little steps to make it a reality.
Keep up the good work SODC!
Anonymous says
I will like to see it built thats all it is never easy thing
anonymous says
The devil is in the details .
Craig says
Another great step forward in a million step marathon. Excited for the park and the many great things this project is bringing to Squamish.
Anonymous says
I am excited. But. Squamish just lets get this going. You guys need to start working togethervand stop behaving like a bunch of first graders.