City Signs Landmark Somass Agreements with Matthews West Development Ltd.

PORT ALBERNI, BC, April 8, 2025 – Port Alberni is set to reclaim its waterfront with the signing of the Somass Lands master development agreement between the City of Port Alberni and Matthews West Developments Ltd. (Matthews West), a private Canadian development company based in Squamish, BC.

In 2023 the City of Port Alberni selected Matthews West as the development partner for the transformation of the 43-acre waterfront property and adjacent parking lot (the Lands), previously known as the Somass Division sawmill.

“This is a transformational step for the City of Port Alberni. We purchased the land in 2021 and have been working toward this day ever since,” said Sharie Minions, mayor of Port Alberni. “Matthews West’s reputation in delivering large-scale, community-focused developments makes them the perfect partners to execute and deliver this ambitious project,” concluded the mayor.

With a signed agreement in hand, the City will begin sharing investigative studies from remediation and site preparation work completed to date. This will establish the foundation for securing all necessary provincial and federal permits, enabling both parties to collaboratively establish a development concept aligned with the intended land use.

The vision, originally put forward by City Council, is that of a strategically designed mixed-use development that includes park space, retail, office spaces and housing, while also supporting light industrial uses and creating public access to Port Alberni’s waterfront. This vision will be further bolstered by a master planning process led by Matthews West in consultation with the community.

“We look forward to the upcoming work on the site, engaging with the community, and working hand-in-hand with the City, Tseshaht [c̓išaaʔatḥ] and Hupačasath First Nations on this exceptional development opportunity,” said John Matthews, president of Matthews West.

The City established a flexible partnership with Matthews West, enabling close collaboration throughout the master planning process while providing Matthews West with the option to purchase the Lands. Building on the success of Oceanfront Squamish (oceanfrontsquamish.com), Matthews West intends to acquire the Lands to lead the development, bringing its specialized knowledge and experience, access to funding, and strategic partnerships to the project.

As of December 31, 2024, the City has invested $5.6 million in the Lands purchase and $3.1 million in demolition and remediation efforts, while recovering $2.4 million through grants and the sale of salvaged equipment and materials. This has resulted in a total net investment of $6.3 million.

Should Matthews West proceed with the land purchase, the sale price will be determined by multiple factors, including reimbursement to the City for all costs incurred on the Lands up to the closing date, ensuring that the City is fully repaid for its investment. This will also include compensation for lost tax revenues during municipal ownership, and coverage of all remediation and pre-development expenses associated with the master planning process. In return, the City gains access to Matthews West's development expertise, which will be instrumental in enhancing the site’s potential.

The City of Port Alberni and Matthews West recognize the importance of enhancing the natural environment through the master planning process and are committed to incorporating greenspace and public spaces along the waterfront for the benefit of the community. A minimum of 20 percent of the Lands will be dedicated as public space and retained under the City’s jurisdiction.

"It is still early in the process, but we are very excited about the future of the Somass Lands," said mayor Minions. "We are confident that Matthews West will deliver a vibrant development that aligns with the priorities of the City, community, and First Nations—fostering economic growth, enhancing public waterfront access and engagement, and attracting young families and investment to Port Alberni."

ABOUT MATTHEWS WEST

Matthews West is a development company located in Squamish, BC that strives to enhance the environmental, social, and economic prosperity of the communities in which it operates. Since 2013, Matthews West has been partnered with the Squamish First Nation on two master planned communities located within the Sea to Sky Corridor: Oceanfront Squamish and the Cheekeye.