Frances Bula header image 2
← →

First Nations’ developments here, there and everywhere: What are the differences among them?

October 6th, 2014 · 4 Comments

Time for all of us to get up to speed here, as First Nations bands around the Lower Mainland and elsewhere are getting increasingly savvy about operating businesses, negotiating deals, and doing development on land they own or have a claim to.

In the wake of the announcement last week about an agreement among the federal government and three local bands to develop two large chunks of land, I went talking to the people behind the scenes who have been watching First Nations grow in the scope of their activities  My Globe story here, with a lawyer, a development and a real-estate consultant who have worked with First Nations around the province.

Important for us, too, to understand the differences between developments on reserve land and developments on claimed land.

(One caveat. I referred to Block K as the Shuaghnessy gold club, but Block K, thanks to my informant on Twitter, is actually the chunk of lend just west of the golf club.)

Categories: Uncategorized

  • logan5

    When you look at all the amenities that surround the Jericho Lands, you would hope these lands see some of the cities highest densities. U.B.C., future subway, massive parks and beaches, good shopping streets on 10th, W.4th, and W. Broadway. Everything is there. Including the Provincially owned land, this area should eventually be home to at least 15 000 people.

  • Richard Campbell

    Agreed. With all the parks and beaches nearby, homes should be affordable for families with children. In an area where land costs are so high, that means building up.

  • Internet made me obsolete

    Highest and best use. In Vancouver this means maximizing your return on investment. Usually this involves financing the political campaigns of those who will, once in office, re-zone your property in a way that multiplies its value. The Circle of Life as it applies in the Vancouver property-development industry.
    In effect the Jericho lands will go to the highest bidder. There are probably not going to be 15,000 of them. Because “everything is here” these properties will be in very high demand and not as condo tower locations.
    Most people probably think that the Jericho lands deal has been worked out in detail behind the scenes and they’re probably right. Nobody spends $300 Million based on a hazy view of the future. The complete plan will no doubt emerge after the municipal election.

  • neil21

    From your (and your readers’) research and understanding of these developments, which examples struck you as being best built for the multi-generational long term?

    I’m only familiar with the so-short-termist-its-outdated-already Tsawwassen mall development. It’s kind of left me with the impression that ancestral lands are milking in the most disposable way possible, as opposed to for establishing thriving villages and economies with opportunities for young people and incomers alike.