[Rock Bay] BC Hydro land | unknown | land remediated

It seems to me that the FN owners could develop a very successful tourism operation on part of the land. A longhouse with a few totem poles would be very attractive to visitors. With a chance to partake in a salmon dinner, with bannock, this would be a big draw. I'm not advocating for some Disney-esque phoney tourist trap. This could be part of a larger development.

 

And what would they do for the 8 months of the year without tourists?

Maybe this will end up as a cultural and community services centre a la the friendship centre on Admirals. That’s a nice building, and something like it on a larger scale could encapsulate multiple First Nations agencies and their services.

I can also see a housing community materializing on a portion of the property.

And what would they do for the 8 months of the year without tourists?

 

they could just close it. or do school groups.  or open weekends.  they are getting $75 million in land for free.

We have cruise ships here for 6 months and there are tourists here the rest of the year too, just fewer. It's a good idea, and if FN want their culture to be remembered, let alone survive they should do things like this. Teach it themselves. It would be wildly popular I think, especially during peak tourist season.

I think the biggest gamble the CoV takes is when these folk get together to decide our collective fate.
Victoria-Council-Photo.jpg

We are facing a crises of competency

We have cruise ships here for 6 months and there are tourists here the rest of the year too, just fewer. It's a good idea, and if FN want their culture to be remembered, let alone survive they should do things like this. Teach it themselves. It would be wildly popular I think, especially during peak tourist season.

 

people especially europeans love the west coast native art.   it really could be done well.

From what I understand, the lands were sold to FN and are fee simple, not reserve lands. That would mean that they would fall under "officialdom whims". Having said that, officialdom has shown a preference for FN issues so they may decide to allow flexibility. 

 

I also understand that the CRD is leasing the first hydro parcel that was sold to FN a couple of years ago for $250K - $500K a year as compensation for the sewage treatment project.

 

Looked it up and the CRD paid Matullia Holdings $630K last year. AFAIK that was all to lease the Rock Bay lands.

 

https://www.crd.bc.c.../2018-sofi.pdf?

Maybe this will end up as a cultural and community services centre a la the friendship centre on Admirals. That’s a nice building, and something like it on a larger scale could encapsulate multiple First Nations agencies and their services.

I can also see a housing community materializing on a portion of the property.

 

The property has a decent waterfront footprint but it still has industrial users on both sides and they are not going anywhere. Low costs housing or shelter I can see.

...Low costs housing or shelter I can see.

Dare to dream, Victoria style. 

We have cruise ships here for 6 months and there are tourists here the rest of the year too, just fewer. It's a good idea, and if FN want their culture to be remembered, let alone survive they should do things like this. Teach it themselves. It would be wildly popular I think, especially during peak tourist season.

 

True but every stop on their Alaskan cruise has some local FN cultural display or celebration. The RBCM also has a great display. I just don't see tourists lining up to go that far out of the core.

Low costs housing or shelter I can see.

 

they might lease land back to the city.  indeed.  isitt wants to run social housing in-house.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 May 2019 - 09:25 AM.

Dare to dream, Victoria style. 

 

Maybe that will be the new firehall, crystal pool, homeless shelter, low costs housing and arts complex all in one big multi-purpose facility!

 

I don't have issues with folks developing their own land but I am worried about how much we are paying for and/or subsidizing these projects and the impact it is going to have on our taxes.

 I just don't see tourists lining up to go that far out of the core.

 

You LITERALLY TAKE THEM THERE in a double-decker bus that's included in the price.  all tourists want to ride a dd bus.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 May 2019 - 09:29 AM.

they might lease land back to the city.  indeed.  isitt wants to run social housing in-house.  

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the plan and it was already in motion.

You LITERALLY TAKE THEM THERE in a double-decker bus that's included in the price.  all tourists want to ride a dd bus.

 

When was the last time you were on an Alaskan cruise?

When was the last time you were on an Alaskan cruise?

 

including last year?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

never.

You LITERALLY TAKE THEM THERE in a double-decker bus that's included in the price...

Surely you mean an e-carriage.

But in all seriousness, how about collecting cruise ship passengers at Ogden Point in first nations dug-out canoes and transport them to the site?

As I understand it this is a sale of land and that this is not becoming "First Nation" land subject to the Indian Act. Thus they can do whatever they want with it but will still be subject to municipal laws and have to pay property taxes. They can sell it for condos and there will not be issues with the mortgages because it will be the same as any other land.

That said from reading the TC article it sounds like they want to build a long term sustainable business here. One that will benefit their community over the long term so I would expect to see some large things here like hotels or leasable office space. I think a casino could be a possibility but the city has already said no to that. I could also see some light industry go in here too.

They could also wait for a change in council’s makeup to pursue something the current council isn’t likely to support. Time is on their side here.

I highly doubt the council would say no to them for anything. Casino or otherwise. They could probably propose a 60 storey single use plastic bag factory and get away with it in the name of reconciliation

Edited by RFS, 26 May 2019 - 05:02 PM.