Nanaimo South Downtown Waterfront Remediation Study

The City of Nanaimo will study the feasibility of remediating and redeveloping a former industrial site to accommodate a growing population and encourage economic growth while restoring the environment and enhancing quality of life. In March 2013, the city purchased the South Downtown Waterfront property, a 26.7-acre site along its downtown waterfront. The property accounts for approximately half of a former rail yard, and is contaminated with coal debris and infill from earlier mining operations. An initial environmental review found high metal and hydrocarbon concentrations in the soil and groundwater. The city will hire a contractor to complete a feasibility study that will include site investigations to evaluate soil, sediment, groundwater and vapors on the property, risk assessment, and the preparation of a remediation plan. Environmental indicators will look at the amount of land made available for use; treatments for soil, surface water and groundwater and how land, wetland, and riparian areas can be preserved or restored. Social and economic indicators include a range of factors linked to health, safety, quality of life, and community revitalization. The study will prioritize innovative remediation techniques, depending on the type of contaminants identified. Redeveloping the South Waterfront is a key component in the city's existing municipal plans and is a priority in the 2013–2015 Strategic Plan, the Nanaimo Harbour Master Plan, the Downtown Plan, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Plan, and the Nanaimo Estuary Management Plan. These plans all support the long-term goal of building an uninterrupted waterfront trail. The city is now considering various residential, recreational and commercial uses for the area, including collaboration with the Regional District of Nanaimo for a future multi-modal transit exchange to better connect downtown Nanaimo with nearby islands, and the region as a whole. The city is also in discussions with Island Ferry Services Ltd. about a fast ferry route between this property and downtown Vancouver. As a high-profile community-oriented project for a large site, this initiative offers lessons for other municipalities in BC and across Canada. (Project description from original funding application)