River Parkway and Middle Arm Waterfront Park Brownfield Site Assessment and Remedial Action Feasibility Study, City of Richmond

In this feasibility study, the City of Richmond will prepare to remediate an industrial brownfield site located on the Fraser River into a waterfront urban park strategically linked to the airport and adjacent development. This 46 acre brownfield site was formerly part of the Canada Pacific rail corridor and is contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Once remediated, the park will house a new LEED Gold cultural facility and an energy plant using sewer heat recovery. In later phases of the project, Richmond will develop plans for a multi-modal pedestrian bridge to cross the Fraser River and road extension of the existing River Parkway. Prior to developing the brownfield remediation plan and foreshore stabilisation study, Richmond will go through a planning process to narrowly identify the objectives of the site redevelopment which will inform the details of the necessary remediation. Project phases therefore include completing preliminary transportation and a district energy site plan to support neighbourhood densification around the site, completing a needs assessment for the cultural facility, and determining financing and funding model for the project. Richmond will subsequently conduct soil and water testing and a foreshore stabilization study for the site and develop a Remedial Action Plan for Ministry of Environment approval. Final park design will enhance natural areas and existing wildlife and plant species, improve urban air quality, and reduce potential for contamination impacts on the Fraser River. The project is supported by Richmond’s City Centre Area Plan, City Centre Transportation Plan, Middle Arm Open Space Master Plan, and the Official Community Plan update. The monitoring and evaluation strategy in place for this large scale redevelopment project will quantify long-term environmental benefits by measuring specific indicators including soil, surface water and groundwater remediated or risk managed, land made available for reuse, energy consumption and greenhouse gas reduction from the district energy system and cultural facility, and modal shift and reduced fuel consumption from transportation improvements to the area. (Project description from original funding application)