Revitalizing a formerly contaminated industrial site surrounded by snowcapped mountains and overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Oceanfront Squamish Community Development

Developer Matthews West saw potential in a remediated brownfield site to provide Squamish residents with a new community nestled in the Coast Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. While the former industrial site historically had been physically remediated, environmental regulations evolved and Matthews West still needed to determine if the site was safe for residential development. They reached out to our team to help.

We performed environmental investigations and conducted human health and ecological risk assessments to evaluate the current site conditions and to obtain the necessary regulatory closure for redeveloping the site. This involved investigating the behavior and fate of residual mercury in the environment and evaluating risks posed to human and ecological receptors. Changes in land use from remediated brownfield to potential residential area with parks, commercial, and light industrial use, presented different exposure pathways. We completed investigations, risk assessment, and obtained a certificate of compliance for the first building lot, which will include a presentation center and brewery. Additionally, we completed the risk assessment that led to the opening of the Sp’akw’us Feather Park in 2024, a community park celebrating the Squamish Nation culture.

Currently, we’re supporting Matthews West with contract administration, environmental monitoring of ground improvements in mercury-affected areas, as well as environmental investigations, monitoring, human health and ecological risk assessments, and planning at future lots.