City involved in APD lands

Apr 18, 2024 | 10:19 AM

With the permanant closure of Western Forest Products’ Alberni Pacific Division sawmill, questions are now being raised about the future of the waterfront property.

Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said the city and the landowners are looking at continued industrial use on the property for now.

“Our first priority is seeing if we can facilitate something that will see those lands continue to be used industrial way, but in a way that’s suitable for the community,” she said. “If that heavy industry option does not open itself up, then certainly we will be having other conversations with the property owner and developers about what the future of that site will be.

Minions said the city doesn’t have the capacity to repeat the Somass Mill lands development project.