Nanaimo residents are being invited to share their ideas on the best way to develop waterfront land just south of downtown.
Citizens can view concepts and options for 1 Port Dr. at a open house at the site from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. This was the site planned for the proposed events centre, which went down to defeat this year.
Nanaimo started its master plan process in October 2015. It is now at the stage where it is evaluating options for land use and features such as site access, a transit exchange and a waterfront walkway.
The city bought 1 Port Dr. from Canadian Pacific Railway for $3.4 million in 2013. The purchase included 26.7 acres of land and water.
As part of this site development, the city has been in talks with North Vancouver’s Seaspan, which owns a 15.5-acre right of way on the property.
Seaspan has relocated its drop-trailer service from the Port Drive waterfront to a new terminal at Duke Point. A related company, Southern Railway, will continue to use the site to transport supplies for the pulp and paper industry to Vancouver Island customers.
Nanaimo has sent a proposed memorandum of understanding to Seaspan in the hopes of finalizing an agreement to buy part of the right of way.
Seaspan is considering the proposal. Company CEO Frank Butzelaar said he is optimistic that a deal can be reached.
Bill Corsan, Nanaimo’s manager of real estate, said that ideally a waterfront walkway and new road to the Nanaimo Port Authority lands would be built. At this time, an old wooden trestle is being used.
