THE federal government is in the midst of selling off a nearly $12-million property located in West Vancouver to a local First Nations band, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has confirmed.
The five-acre West Van lot located at 4165 and 4195 Marine Drive, close to Cypress Park elementary school and across from the DFO's Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research facility, is one of three federally owned properties currently in negotiations to be sold.
First Nations bands are also in negotiations with the federal government over two properties on Heather Street in Vancouver.
Dan Bate, communications officer for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, told the North Shore News the lot hasn't been used in years.
"Much of the lot is covered in vegetation and is undeveloped," he said in an email interview. "The site had been previously used for outdoor storage but has been unused and vacant for many years."
Previously it was used for storage, he added.
Bate said there are three First Nations groups involved with these three properties, but did not specify which ones.
Krisandra Jacobs, communications officer for the Squamish Nation, said they are interested in the lands but was vague in her details.
"(The) Squamish Nation has an interest in any federal lands within our traditional territory," she said. "The nature of any discussions or negotiations respecting lands are necessarily confidential."
The news of the sale broke after Vision Vancouver councillor Kerry Jang and B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair brought a leaked document to media attention on Feb. 22.
Although Jang and Sinclair claimed the report pointed to the land sale of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station, which was abruptly and controversially closed on Feb. 19, it was this property, as well as two others in Vancouver on the table.
Bate could not confirm when the sale would happen, nor could he say what will happen with the lot when sold.
The District of West Vancouver currently has the Marine Drive properties valued at a combined $11.587 million.
