A development project is being proposed close to the new $1.44-billion Cowichan District Hospital that would provide much needed multi-family housing units in the area, and provide construction jobs for First Nation workers.
The proposed 31-acre WestVista/Bell McKinnon Northwest Neighbourhood Project, located just 500 feet from the new hospital site, would include up to 850 homes that are planned to be a combination of affordable housing, high-density and multi-family residential housing, as well as a hotel, and a light industrial/commercial area.
The project, which is expected to go before North Cowichan council this fall for consideration, is being proposed by the WestVista development company.
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If approved by the municipality, this phased project is expected by its proponents to yield more than $60 million in property taxes by year 25 of the project for North Cowichan.
WestVista’s owners, Mill Bay’s Elaine and John Lichtenwald, who bought the property a number of years ago, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Duncan-based Indigenous company, RavenStone Construction, to be the main sub-trade contractor for the project if it moves forward. RavenStone features all First Nations employees.
Mark MacDonald, from Communication Ink Media & Public Relations, which is working with WestVista on the project, said not only would the project help address the ongoing housing crisis in the region, it would also provide a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved, and represents true economic reconciliation for First Nations.
“Dan Williams (president of RavenStone) is excited about the project, as is the Khowutzun Development Corporation (Cowichan Tribes’ economic arm) which they partner with on other projects,” MacDonald said.
“KDC was wrongly shut out of major contracts on the new Cowichan hospital, so approval of this project is an opportunity to right a serious wrong. The project is expected to result in many well-paying jobs for RavenStone, with other opportunities expected to arise for KDC and other firms.”
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Williams describes RavenStone’s contract with WestVista as real economic reconciliation, something he likes to call “Reconcili-Action”.
“Signing the MOU to be the main sub-trade contractor on the WestVista/Bell McKinnon Northwest project is a real opportunity for an Indigenous company to be a leader in a major development,” he said.
“Even within our own land in the Cowichan Valley, we’ve had to pick up the scraps from other projects. We’ve had to fight for opportunities like this.”
Elaine Lichtenwald, co-owner of WestVista, said the company is very proud to sign the MOU with RavenStone on a project that will help address the lack of housing in the Cowichan Valley and provide well-paying jobs for their First Nations employees.
“This is just the right thing to do, to make sure a First Nations company gets the priority position for employment, especially since they only got minimal, minor consideration on the new Cowichan Valley hospital across the street,” she said.
Jodee Dick, CEO of Khowutzun Development Corporation, said the KDC is very proud and excited for RavenStone and its participation in the proposed project.
“KDC is here to support all of our citizen-owned companies and ensure they get meaningful participation within our territory,” she said.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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