Preferred Pier 8 developer a secret until council vote

The city will remain tight-lipped on the identity of the developer it is recommending to build a new waterfront community on Pier 8 until councillors seal the deal.

The city released plans in April from four consortiums bidding to build about 1,500 residential condos, as well as commercial buildings and green space, on the vacant pier lands beside the recreational west harbour.

Residents were able to comment on all four harbour-transforming proposals in April. But they won’t be allowed to see or weigh in on the recommended bid until after city councillors approve it. The confidential recommendation will be considered at a June 6 meeting.

That’s disappointing to residents invested in the future of the harbourfront — not to mention the fate of the nearby city-owned Discovery Centre, said community activist Graham Crawford.

“I think it’s incumbent on council to let the public know what staff is recommending — and why — before a vote is cast,” he said. “After the fact, there is nothing we can do about it.”

Crawford said allowing the public a chance to see the city’s rationale or offer opinions to councillors ahead of the vote is “just basic respect for the democratic process.”

He added that he is also worried about the fate of the nearby Discovery Centre, which council voted in January to look at offering up for sale as part of the larger Pier 8 redevelopment.

“My concern is that part of the deal is already cooked,” said Crawford, who spearheaded a campaign calling on the city to hold on to the former museum and restaurant.

City waterfront point person Chris Phillips said the future of the Discovery Centre is not included in the city recommendation going to councillors June 6. Instead, he said staff will bring a separate report on the building to council this summer, after a related June 4 public meeting organized at the request of residents.

Phillips said city staff made “a prudent decision to ensure the confidentiality of the recommended proponent” ahead of the council vote because the RFP process is not complete until a preferred bidder is confirmed. He said the project’s “fairness monitor” signed off on the decision.

However, the city made similar information public ahead of a vote on a complex big-dollar project last year.

Council approved a publicprivate partnership in 2017 that will see a consortium called Harbour City Solutions build and run a $103-million sewage sludge-drying plant. That RFP, which included a fairness monitor, resulted in a public staff recommendation ahead of a council vote.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger directed questions about the “very defined procurement process” back to staff.

Coun. Chad Collins theorized it was possible bid details need to stay confidential in case council opts to reject the recommended proponent — or negotiate with a different bidder altogether.

A staff report posted online — which does not name the recommended proponent — warns councillors they risk the city’s reputation and possible legal action if they go around the preferred proponent.