City, Seaspan and Southern Rail enter into MOU

MOU a key step in redevelopment of 1 Port Drive

Summary

The City of Nanaimo, Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC) and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island Limited (SVI) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)) to set out a process to move towards a partial discharge of the existing SFC right-of-way on City owned property at 1 Port Drive.

Link to Strategic Plan: Waterfront Enhancement, Transportation and Mobility, Taking Responsibility

Key Points

  • The MOU confirms SFC's plans to relocate to Duke Point in 2017 and their ability to return up to 9.3 acres of land and water to the City of Nanaimo.
  • The MOU indicates that the City will need to compensate SFC for the value of the portion of the right-of-way that will be returned to the City. A professional appraiser will be hired to arrive at a value to form the basis for negotiations.
  • Prior to the discharge of the existing SFC right-of-way, a new right-of-way in favour of SVI will be granted by the City to ensure the long term viability of rail on Vancouver Island.
  • The three parties anticipate a formalized deal by the end of 2015.

Quotes

"I'm very pleased to announce today that the City of Nanaimo, Seaspan and Southern Rail have come together to work collaboratively to unlock this important waterfront property. Given the complexity that can sometimes accompany initiatives like this one, I am encouraged at the speed by which important steps forward are now being taken."

Mayor
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • 1 Port Drive was acquired by the City of Nanaimo in 2013 for $3,400,000.
  • 1 Port Drive is 26.7 acres in size. The existing SFC right-of-way covers roughly 15.5 acres of the City owned property.

Images

Attachments

-30-

Contact:

Bill Corsan
Manager, Real Estate
City of Nanaimo
250.755.4426

Print News Release

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.