Bidding war on the riverfront

By Neil Corbett

Mission Record

The developer who wants to build the Sturgeon’s on the Fraser floating restaurant and marina on Mission’s riverfront has learned that to buy the property needed he will be bidding against a powerful rival - the District of Mission.

Howard Meakin, who rejuvenated Vancouver’s Gastown district, planned to use the Friendship 500 Barge, which was used for a floating McDonalds restaurant during Expo ‘86, for his floating fine dining establishment at the southern end of Horne Street. His plan was to acquire the property owned by Meeker Lumber on Harbour Avenue. It would provide parking for the floating restaurant and marina, and could also house a hotel that Meakin would build as a second phase of the project.

Now he is sounding doubtful about the project.

“We could have don a great job there. We could have made it the number one destinational dining in the Valley.”

In July he pitched the plan to begin the redevelopment of Mission’s waterfront to council, and since that time Meakin says he has been working to secure the necessary approvals.

“We have been encouraged by the district to proceed,” he said.

The plans hit a snag when Meakin learned approximately two weeks ago that a second party has been trying to acquire the Meeker Lumber property, which is in receivership.

This week, Meakin learned that his competitor was the district.

He said a court date has been set for today “to go into a bidding war for the property.”

Meakin expects the land to sell for as much as $2 million.

After that, there could be expensive cleanup costs, because there is a “moderate to high risk” that the soil has been contaminated — it has housed a bulk fuel depot, a dry cleaner and paint dipping facility, and has four underground storage tanks from BP Oil.

“They [the district] have no idea what the cost of soil remediation is going to be,” asserts Meakin, adding that the property would still have value to him as a parking lot even if the soil cleanup is not feasible.

Meakin said he is shocked. He thought the district was working with him to secure the unique development, which “needs all these clearances.”

Now he is doubtful about the development proceeding.

“Even if we are the successful bidder, how are they going to treat us on the development permit application?” he asked.

Mayor James Atebe would neither confirm nor deny the municipality’s interest in the property, in accordance with the Community Charter.

“I will be very happy, once that is resolved through the courts, to give a detailed discussion on this,” said Atebe.

The mayor also refused to comment on the merits of the proposed development, other than to point out that Meakin addressed council by Atebe’s invitation. He noted the district has yet to receive an application for the development.

Meakin said that application is accompanied by a non-refundable fee, which he is loath to pay before knowing whether the property purchase is secured.

Businesses on the waterfront fear an opportunity is being lost to Mission. Jo-Anne Chadwick, co-owner of Fraser River Safari, had been looking forward to the front-burner development project, and the added traffic it would bring.

“I’m a property owner and a tour operator on the waterfront, and this was huge for us,” she said.

Chadwick is pessimistic about development by the municipality.

“The district has not been known for successful development projects - they’re not developers.”

Charles Sloan, who once owned the Mission Marina and still has property on the waterfront, said the district is damaging its credibility with other builders.

“No other developer is going to look at doing development down there,” he said.

“They’re closing the door on the biggest name to come into Mission in forever.”

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