New Westminster City Council will hold a workshop on Monday to discuss the future of the city’s riverfront, more than three years after a massive fire destroyed the former pier and much of the surrounding park.
The fire burned for more than 10 days in September 2020, destroying the famous ‘W’ art installation. A suspect was charged with arson but died before he could be tried.
Westminster Pier Park reopened in April 2021, but much of the former waterfront space is no longer accessible due to the loss of the pier itself.
Monday’s meeting is part of planning for “a future riverfront project that is consistent with the city’s reconciliation goals,” according to a staff report(opens in new tab).
The city has agreed to a $30 million insurance settlement for the loss of the pier. It intends to place the money in a reserve fund “to ensure transparency in financial reporting” and to allow any interest that accrues to be returned to the reserve.
After accounting for cleanup costs already incurred, the city expects to have about $22 million in the settlement reserve to support “projects or initiatives for the benefit of the community,” according to an earlier staff report(opens in new tab) from the council’s 16 October meeting.
“As the City continues discussions with our partners to determine the best course of action for the riverfront, the financial outlook and information will change accordingly,” the report said.
Monday’s workshop will include a presentation from project facilitators hired by the city to lead discussions with six First Nations – the Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Qayqayt, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh – that may be interested in partnering with the city on riverfront projects.
The workshop will ask councillors to consider their answers to four questions that will help inform discussions with the Nations.
Those questions are:
- What makes the Fraser River and/or the local riverfront special? What do you want it to look like in 100 years?
- What uses of the riverfront do you think are essential?
- What feelings or qualities do you want people to experience when they visit the area?
- What words would you use to define a healthy relationship between the city and the nations?
“As the City moves forward with discussions with our potential partners to determine a preferred approach to a riverfront project, a fuller project brief will be developed with the necessary requirements.
