The City of North Vancouver is poised for a transformative redevelopment through a creative land exchange with Darwin Properties Ltd., one that could see the City’s outdated Operations Centre relocated and replaced with a new residential hub. The initiative balances civic infrastructure renewal with ambitious urban planning — introducing a state-of-the-art public works facility, a new five-acre creekside park, and a mid-rise housing community designed with sustainability at its core.
A Landmark Land Swap: City and Darwin Properties Partner for Civic Renewal
At the heart of the plan is an innovative land exchange deal. Instead of the City bearing the cost of upgrading its existing, deteriorating Operations Centre at 720 West 2nd Street, developer Darwin Properties will construct a brand-new, energy-efficient facility at 61 Bewicke Avenue. In return, Darwin will acquire and redevelop the current Operations Centre site into a residential village. The goal? A near cost-neutral deal for the City, while unlocking new opportunities for housing, green space, and urban livability.
The City Council has endorsed the vision, moving forward with amendments to the Official Community Plan and rezoning processes to support the shift.
Site A: From Works Yard to Waterfront Village
Current State:
The existing Operations Centre, tucked below Marine Drive and bordered by key arteries like Bewicke Avenue and Fell Avenue, is described as outdated, inefficient, and seismically vulnerable. Its aging buildings no longer align with operational demands or sustainability standards. Environmental remediation is also constrained while the site remains in use.
The Vision for Redevelopment:
The proposal reimagines this industrial zone as “Creek Crossing” — a mid-rise residential community with approximately 350–375 units. Building heights will range from five to six storeys, with a blend of family-friendly units integrated into an animated ground plane. Drawing inspiration from the Marine Drive Planning Study, the development embraces a density of 1.88 FSR and incorporates natural amenities like Mosquito Creek, which runs along the site’s western edge.
Key design principles include:
Linear Park and Greenways: A significant new public space along Mosquito Creek, including trails and tot lots.
Woonerf-Style Streets: Pedestrian-friendly, shared streetscapes through and around the site.
Sustainable Architecture: Connection to the Lonsdale Energy Corporation, passive design strategies, and green infrastructure.
Phased, Thoughtful Growth: Buildings will be introduced in stages, with each phase maintaining a complete, community-minded atmosphere.
Vehicular access will be primarily via a new bridge at West 3rd Street, while pedestrian links will extend under viaducts and connect with surrounding neighbourhoods.
Site B: A Modern Public Works Hub at 61 Bewicke Avenue
The New Operations Centre:
Located on a long-vacant, environmentally remediated lot just north of the railway tracks, the new facility will be tailored to 21st-century needs. Designed to LEED Silver and Post Disaster standards, it will ensure the City can maintain critical operations even after a major earthquake.
Highlights include:
Integration with the LEC district energy system.
High-efficiency design and modern vehicle access.
Public-facing amenities like a greenhouse and enhanced landscaping.
Parking access shared with adjacent park users during evenings and weekends.
This new centre will occupy roughly four acres and sits adjacent to the planned Creekside Park — further anchoring this area as a civic and green gateway to the City.
Creekside Park: A Green Ribbon Through the City
Perhaps one of the most community-forward outcomes of the exchange is the creation of a five-acre Creekside Park, enhancing pedestrian access and ecological restoration along Mosquito Creek. This park, a cornerstone of the City’s sustainability goals, will offer riparian trails, bicycle routes, and natural recreational spaces while maximizing environmental value.
The development also envisions:
Trailheads and under-viaduct connections to Bewicke Avenue.
A continuous east-west pedestrian corridor.
Visual and physical integration with adjacent neighbourhoods and streetscapes.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
This comprehensive plan is undergoing review by several advisory bodies, including the Advisory Planning Commission and Design Panel, with robust community consultation underway. A town hall at the existing Operations Centre and public hearings aim to gather feedback on issues such as housing diversity, environmental stewardship, and indigenous consultation with the Squamish Nation.
Pending approvals, the timeline (originally projected in 2011) includes construction of the new Operations Centre first, followed by the demolition and sale of the old site, and eventually the phased development of Creek Crossing.
A Model for Integrated Urban Development
The City of North Vancouver’s Operations Centre relocation and land exchange presents a forward-thinking urban solution. By leveraging land value and private development expertise, the City is poised to enhance its infrastructure, add housing stock, restore natural ecosystems, and expand public space — all with minimal taxpayer cost.
Curious how this could shape the future of the Marine Drive corridor or Lower Lonsdale? We’re keeping a close eye on projects like this so our clients always stay informed. Want to be one of them?
Comments:
Post Your Comment: