The City of Vancouver quietly signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Protocol Agreement with the Squamish Nation on Monday that, according to 24 Hours’ Bob Mackin, is likely connected to the North Vancouver-based tribe’s desire to capitalize on land it owns around the south end of the Burrard Bridge.
Mackin notes that on April 8th, Squamish band members voted 991-196 in favour of designating the 8.67 acre parcel for lease and development and that artist renderings show a tower west of the bridge’s south end and a series of mid-rise buildings to the east.
The land in question has a long and complicated history that started back in 1877 when the Dominion of Canada allotted the First Nation 86 acres of land, stretching west of what’s now Granville Island as far as Vanier Park and north of Cornwall Avenue to False Creek.
Anyone interested in learning more about the history and issues should read Megan Stewart’s article titled The Rise of the Squamish Nation in the March issue of Vancouver Magazine as well as the Kitsilano news section of the Squamish Nation website.
Last modified: September 7, 2022
Well I’m okay with this. I’ve always though the gravel fields to the east of the bridge were a useless eyesore. As long as the development isn’t a 400 foot tall billboard, I welcome some growth to our community