Might the south financial institution of the Fraser River in Surrey sooner or later be a thriving waterfront district like Granville Island or North Vancouver’s Shipyards?
It’s a query Metropolis of Surrey workers will now discover with the council vote final week to launch a feasibility examine on remodeling the closely industrialized space right into a landmark vacation spot.
The world in query occupies the waterfront slice of an space Surrey calls South Westminster, instantly throughout the river from New Westminster and bordered at one finish by the brand new Pattullo bridge, Scott Street and the Manson Canal.
“Surrey is the quickest rising metropolis in B.C. Quickly we can be larger than Vancouver and we don’t have an iconic spot and, to me, we’ve obtained this lovely river house and let’s do one thing in a extremely significant manner about it,” Surrey metropolis councillor Linda Annis mentioned.
The thought remains to be in its infancy, with any significant resolution years away.
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The proposal additionally faces a fancy path ahead, with the realm at present house to a number of stakeholders together with personal firms, CN Rail and the Vancouver Port Authority.
The latter physique is already on report as strongly desirous to protect the restricted provide of business land within the space.
“It’s a very bold proposal, however on the similar time this sort of examine tries to floor it to actuality,” mentioned Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser College’s Metropolis Program.
“The infrastructure that’s there actually was by no means developed to help mid and high-density neighbourhoods, which could be very costly when you consider new sewage and water strains.”
Individuals residing within the adjoining Brownville RV Park are additionally involved, telling International Information they worry the lack of one of many area’s final reasonably priced locations to stay.
“There are people who find themselves relying on these locations to have the ability to stay right here as a result of that’s what they’ll afford. I do know I’m not the one one,” resident Darren Pinner mentioned.
“I’m attempting to boost three youngsters, I can’t pay $5,000 or no matter it’s for a three-bedroom place for what our youngsters want. That’s simply not in our finances.”
If the proposal have been to maneuver ahead past a feasibility examine, the town says residents would have the possibility to weigh in via public hearings.
Technical research are additionally crucial to contemplate transportation and flood danger points.
“I take a look at different locations which have utilized riverfront or oceanfront and there could be a comfortable marriage between the 2,” Annis mentioned.
“We’ve obtained to start out partaking with our stakeholders to seek out that candy spot that works for each the town, the residents, folks across the Decrease Mainland in addition to the companies.”
The waterfront district feasibility examine is predicted to be full by the spring of 2026.
In the meantime, council permitted land use designations for the broader South Westminster Neighbourhood Idea Plan final Monday, calling for the creation of a “transit village” with housing and retail areas within the Scott Street station space.
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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