Westminster Pier Park

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Brownfield
Project value$275,000
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Site assessments and remedial action plans
Grant amount$119,500
Program type GMF
Municipality City of New Westminster, BC
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 78,916
Project timeline 2010 - 2011
Project number 10275

Description

The City of New Westminster will finalize a remedial action plan and undertake a detailed site investigation on identified hot spots to address the contamination caused by various former industrial uses of a 3.2-hectare area along the B.C. Fraser River. To help meet recreational demands and ease development pressures, as identified in its Capital Plan, the city plans to remediate and revitalize the site into a public park and marina – the future Westminster Pier Park.
The city has already conducted a number of preliminary and detailed site assessments, and the remedial action plan is underway. Based on this completed work, further investigation of identified hot spots is required. A risk assessment study to evaluate contamination of the groundwater and sediment will be outlined and a remediation plan for the soil will be proposed. The work will build on previous environmental site assessments, and include a review of all relevant reports, technical analysis on contaminated soils, soil vapour remediation and identify additional investigation as needed. Due to the Pier's proximity to the Fraser River, eventual treatment will be done offsite and the majority of the remediation will be done above the water line. Contaminated soils and soil vapour remediation will be addressed by excavation.
The methodology for the testing and evaluation is rooted in full life cycle analysis. The aim of the remediation plan will be to see contaminated soil and groundwater cleaned up to meet or exceed provincial and federal environmental standards. The city plans to reduce the levels of benzopyrene and pyrene to below acceptable standards; heavy metals and other contaminants will also be removed from the site. The new urban green space proposed will absorb pollutants, improve air and water quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve drainage, reduce soil erosion and provide habitat for urban wildlife. It will feature walking trails as well as two bike lanes to promote alternate modes of transportation. Westminster Pier Park will provide a recreational space for the community, revitalize the neighbourhood and create a new economic base to sustain property, income and capital taxes.
The City's risk based approach is comparatively new in Canada for revitalizing a former industrial downtown-based location of this type into a vibrant greenspace. The proposed approach has the potential to be applied, in whole or in part, to contaminated waterfront sites in Canadian municipalities with similar characteristics. Steps, lessons learned and any post-remediation reports will be made available to communities directly or through the City website.
(Project description from original funding application)

Applicant

City of New Westminster, BC