Vancouver negotiates $8 million compensation from BC Hydro for West End park project
Posted May 22, 2022 6:04 pm.
Last Updated May 22, 2022 7:01 pm.
Vancouver has finished a $8 million negotiation in relation to property rights in parts of Nelson Park in the West End.
The Vancouver Park Board will be paid the total in return for approving BC Hydro’s request for property rights in portions of Nelson Park.
“Knowing the substation project at the Lord Roberts Annex property adjacent to Nelson Park was moving ahead meant shifting from our more familiar role as those who build and maintain parks and public amenities, to ensuring the least amount of disruption possible to the park,” explains Donnie Rosa, general manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
“Another aspect of our role in this was to ensure reasonable compensation from BC Hydro on behalf of … park users who will be impacted by this project.”
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BC Hydro requires the access to a section of Nelson Park to allow construction of underground distribution and transmission lines.
“We’re committed to delivering safe and reliable power to our customers in downtown Vancouver,” says Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “The right of way access in Nelson Park is an important component for a new underground substation in the West End that will serve the downtown core for generations to come.”
BC Hydro said construction for the underground substation could begin as early as 2024, with the project estimated to be finished in 2029.
They added in a statement “construction in Nelson Park will occur over one to two winter months sometime during this construction window, when park traffic is low and the West End Farmers Market is not being held.”
Back in 2018, the Vancouver School Board approved the sale of a subsurface parcel beneath the Lord Roberts Annex.
The Vancouver School Board will use those funds to build a new school in Coal Harbour, as well as a future school at the Lord Roberts Annex property, says BC Hydro.
Additional details will be provided by BC Hydro and the Vancouver School Board as the West End Substation Project continues.
