Conwest Developments purchased Interfor’s old Hammond Mill site on the Fraser River in Maple Ridge and is moving ahead with the fee-simple 28-acre land development of this century-old former industrial site to create a new state-of-the-art light industrial development that, at completion, will support about 500 jobs and support a wide range of small, medium, and large businesses.
Conwest is a long-time Vancouver-based, BC-owned commercial, industrial, and residential developer with an over 40-year history of award-winning, innovative, and transformative projects. Conwest prides itself on quality, environmental sustainability and collaborative relationships with stakeholders and developing deep and long-term relationships of mutual benefit and respect with First Nations.
The Hammond Mill site, a private fee simple sawmill site for more than 100 years, was offered for public sale by Interfor in 2020. The Port of Vancouver and our economy are in desperate need of transportation logistics warehousing and light commercial and industrial projects near rail and road access points to meet growing trade and small and medium businesses in the supply chains that support quality of life.
The duty to consult with First Nations rests with the Crown (Government of British Columbia). During the summer and fall of 2020, Conwest voluntarily engaged with the Katzie First Nation (KFN) in vision sessions that the KFN Chief and Council later acknowledged in a letter of appreciation. Discussions continued in 2021. In March 2021, Conwest submitted the multi-million dollar investment commitment for a waterfront revitalization plan and park co-created in the vision sessions with Katzie leadership to the Nation, the province and the Port for a larger development, including a foreshore restaurant, community space, artist space, foreshore access and a marina, including an ice plant and other benefits for KFN. Conwest was the site's selected purchaser and completed the site's purchase in July 2021. Conwest then applied for necessary provincial environmental and archeological permits. Since this is private fee simple property, Conwest has far exceeded its legal obligations.
In August 2022, the KFN asked the provincial government to put an indefinite hold on provincial permits. KFN has taken the position that it has Aboriginal right and title to the property, notwithstanding that it is private fee simple property. The Government of British Columbia has confirmed the Aboriginal title for the property is not included in the current mandate.
Conwest has patiently awaited their archeological permits for approximately three years. Conwest cannot defer the development of this important property indefinitely. Although Conwest would prefer to proceed with a large project with Katzie First Nation (KFN) involvement, the project will move forward once all permits are obtained. The urgency is based on the changes in market conditions over the four years of Conwest involvement; there have been 20-year highs in the inflation of building costs as well as increases in interest rates, the overall carrying cost and a significant investment in permitting. Nonetheless, a short window remains to build a project in collaboration with the KFN, but as the development proceeds, this option is precluded.
Conwest is building on the fee simple lands it purchased from Interfor, which are entirely within Maple Ridge's municipal boundaries. The proposal rejected by the KFN would have incorporated foreshore leases granted by the Vancouver Port Authority adjacent to the fee simple lands owned by Conwest.
Conwest respects the rights and title of the Katzie First Nation (KFN), seeks a productive long-term relationship, and has gone above and beyond to ensure the protection of any archeological features of this fee simple site using scientifically recognized and regulatory best practices. The entire site will be covered in an additional 2 m of fill, which is a building and insurance requirement to provide flood protection. It also protects any archeological features undetected until now that, regardless, were covered by 2 m of historical fill, cement and the operating mill equipment for over 100 years. There will be no further disturbance of significant features.
The archeological work has found a limited amount of archeological remnants, once part of a harvesting area near the river and some human remains, but no burial ground or cemetery. The archeologically sensitive area in the foreshore zone of the site will be protected with approximately two metres of additional fill over the two-plus metres added to the original grade when the Mill was first built in the early 1900s. This approach is the best archeological practice, and it will ensure that any remaining artifacts remain undisturbed for future generations.
The proposal developed in collaboration with the Katzie First Nation (KFN) in 2021 offered the KFN capital assets in the form of buildings and a marina, supporting physical amenities and access to the foreshore assets, as well as a parklands and waterfront recreational area. Taken as a whole, these initiatives would be revenue-generating opportunities and support KFN’s interests, expressed through engagement, with a multi-million dollar offer at the time. This and subsequent and continued respectful work with the Nation as recently as June of this year to conduct a ceremony on the foreshore was supported by Conwest as they continue to act on their values of working with mutual respect.
Although the KFN rejected this offer and urged government to halt the project completely, Conwest is committed to economic reconciliation and a collaborative approach if the KFN were to decide. But time is short. Conwest is obtaining all the permits it needs to proceed.
The benefits of this project include up to 500 high-paying jobs in technology, light manufacturing, warehousing and transportation logistics for young people in the region. This will bring years of prosperity for the local economy, current and future climate and flood mitigation measures that serve to protect homes and infrastructure and the aforementioned archeological material, cultural and environmental benefits and millions of dollars and capacity building potential for the KFN and its people, for generations to come.
