The City of Delta is taking another major step in its efforts to revitalize Ladner Village and the waterfront.
On Wednesday night (March 13) the city announced its pending purchase of properties at 4940 Chisholm St. and 4926 Delta St., a strategic acquisition that could pave the way for a new mixed-use development to attract visitors from across the region.
The purchase price was not announced.
Staff have commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of a hotel at that location and determine the appropriate mix of other commercial uses such as restaurants and retail to establish a tourism destination and support the ongoing revitalization of the waterfront, said a city news release.
The Delta Hotel was located on the corner of Elliott and Chisholm streets until it was destroyed by a fire in 1923.
The city says it will be providing tenants time to allow for relocation before the decommissioning of the existing buildings in preparation for redevelopment.
The city also notes that it has made investments in watermain and sanitary upgrades in the village in recent years, ensuring the necessary infrastructure to support continued growth.
“This land assembly is an exciting opportunity for the City as we work towards revitalizing Ladner Village,” said Mayor George Harvie.
“Recent consultation with Tourism Delta and the Delta Chamber of Commerce regarding Delta’s community tourism plan have highlighted the need for short-term accommodations in the region. I look forward to further collaboration and engagement with businesses and the community to ensure Ladner Village remains a unique and desirable destination for residents and visitors alike.”
Community engagement on the proposal to redevelop the site will occur following the receipt of the feasibility study, which will cost $40,000, while a site investigation is also required.
A staff report notes that located next door to the 4926 Delta St. is a city-owned property at 4918 Delta St. which will also be eventually demolished.
A planning department report in late 2022 noted the 4926 Delta St. building owner acknowledged the potential for redevelopment of the site, but believed that should occur together with the adjacent properties in the future.
“However, as a small retail business owner and the owner of just one of several properties on the block, they do not believe they are in a position or well suited to redevelop the property on its own or have the ability to put forward a larger redevelopment proposal at this time,” the report noted.
The city has been pushing hard for changes for the village in recent years, coming up with a Ladner waterfront redevelopment strategy and a Ladner Village Official Community Plan (OCP) update.
Those changes were among the key recommendations by the Ladner Village Renewal Advisory Committee.
The OCP has been updated, while changes are still on the horizon for the waterfront area.
Two years ago the city hired a consultant to help shape the Ladner Waterfront Public Lands Development Strategy and Chisholm Street Reconfiguration Project, a site redevelopment strategy and concept for the revitalization of Delta-owned lands along the waterfront at Chisholm Street.
