District Selects Pacific Arbour as the Developer of the Wetmore Motors Site

Monday, July 27, 2009

West Vancouver, BC:  Council is pleased and excited to announce its selection of Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities to develop a new housing project for seniors on the municipally owned Wetmore Motors site. Pacific Arbour is the owner and developer of two existing, award-winning seniors’ housing projects in the lower mainland – The Summerhill in North Vancouver and The Mulberry in Burnaby.

The Wetmore Motors site is strategically located at the corner of 22nd Street and Marine Drive, directly across the street from the Aquatic Centre and the Community Centre. The site is approximately 52,000 square feet and includes Wetmore Motors, an existing residence, and a temporary parking lot for the civic site. The new seniors’ development will include state-of-the-art green building design and energy conservation systems, and will consist of rental housing as well as new community amenities.

The District received seven responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in August 2008. Council selected Pacific Arbour due to its history of providing well-designed, high quality seniors’ housing, its commitment to being a part of the West Vancouver Community, and the strength of its financial proposal. Pacific Arbour and the District will enter into a prepaid 125 year lease of the property totalling $14.5 million, allowing for the construction of approximately 120,000 square feet of housing and community and commercial space, including 126 units of housing. The entire proceeds of the lease will be credited to the District's Endowment Reserve Fund. An additional $500,000 will be contributed to the improvement of the adjacent John Richardson Park. A public consultation process will be outlined which will ensure public input into the design and form of the development to occur at this key location.

“Pacific Arbour is a first class provider of seniors' housing, which we need, and they are a strong community partner in Harmony Arts and Elder College. Our agreement enables repayment of the Endowment Fund for the original purchase of the Wetmore site, as well as an additional $9 million for capital requirements. The West Van taxpayer retains ownership of the land. This decision provides strong short-term and long-term benefits for the community,” says Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones.

“We’re honoured to be a part of advancing the District’s long-term plans to fill the growing gap in seniors’ housing,” says Pacific Arbour Chairman, Rainer Muller. Our goal is not only to provide a safe, comfortable and engaging environment for seniors, but also to be a vital part of this community. West Vancouver is truly special in its provision of first rate amenities and services for seniors, as evidenced by the existing Seniors’ Centre. We look forward to consulting with local residents as the Wetmore project moves forward, with a view to tailoring our project to the specific needs of area residents.”

The Wetmore site was acquired in February 2001 at a price of $5.56 million. Acquisition was intended to allow Council full control of the future use of the land, in consideration of community needs and the site’s relationship to adjacent civic uses, and to provide the possible realization of financial benefits from rezoning. After the purchase, Council studied potential future uses for the site. Reviews of the civic site indicated that it was capable of meeting the District’s long term recreation needs as a main centre. Further study and public review indicated that a development with assistance and services for seniors would best meet long-term community needs. 

Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities development approach was created out of founder, Rainer Muller’s concern for the inadequate seniors’ facilities when seeking a suitable location for his mother. All buildings are constructed of high quality materials, in established urban areas that ensure residents have close access to a wide variety of activities and amenities. Pacific Arbour opened its first retirement home, The Summerhill, in North Vancouver in 2001, followed by The Mulberry in Burnaby in 2005.

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Media Contacts:
Bob Sokol       
Director of Planning, Lands and Permits  
District of West Vancouver    
604-925-7058       

Peter Gaskill
President
Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities
604-623-3411