Expo 86 McBarge could dock in Mission

When Howard Meakin was just 24 years old in 1969, he purchased dilapidated warehouses in downtown Vancouver, then turned them into trendy galleries, restaurants, offices and condos.

Thus began the city's well-known Gastown tourist attraction.

Now, about 40 years later and with many other public-focused projects under his belt, the veteran developer is eyeing the Fraser River waterfront at Mission.

This is where Meakin proposes development of "Sturgeons on the Fraser," a $10-million project that includes several floating restaurants, pub and docking facilities for scheduled float-plane services to Victoria and Nanaimo as well as docks for fishing and river eco-tour operators.

The restaurants, pub and a coffee shop would be housed in the 15,400-square-foot, two-storey floating structure commonly known as "McBarge" that highlighted Expo 86. Meakin bought the concrete-and-steel floating building, now stored in Burrard Inlet, and will spend about $5 million on its renovations.

He also has all required provincial and federal approvals for the waterfront lot he now holds under long-term lease.

But the final regulatory step may be the most difficult. It requires approval from Mission council, including an OK to use an adjacent 0.6-hectare property to park 186 cars and four tour buses.

Meakin and others acknowledge he enjoys broad local support, since many view his project as a significant first step in the overall redevelopment now being planned for Mission's 60-hectare waterfront, which held the old city centre until the devastating 1948 Fraser River flood.

"This project is one of the most exciting things to happen on this waterfront in a long time and it's a critical kickoff for overall development that's being planned," says Jo Anne Chadwick, co-owner of Fraser River Safari, which runs historical and cultural tours on the river from its waterfront base in Mission.

"It'll bring a new awareness throughout the Lower Mainland of our area, which is important since there's about 2.2 million people living within an hour's drive of Mission," Chadwick adds.

But project supporters say Mission city council has been dragging its feet on Meakin's project and the overall waterfront development, which includes commercial and residential infrastructure.

"Tourism in the Valley is growing at an incredible rate and my fear is that our city is going to get left behind," Chadwick told council last week.

"All eyes are watching us and this project's success will send a message that Mission is indeed open for business -- but actions do speak louder than words."

Chadwick was referring to the meeting set for Sept. 7, when council will vote on Meakin's development application. Approval means the project proceeds to a public hearing; disapproval means it dies.

Consequently, Meakin distributed a four-page newsletter on the project last week to strengthen support.

He knows council's approval is by no means guaranteed, especially since the city had bid against him -- but later withdrew -- several months ago for the 0.6 hectares he needs for his parking lot. Mayor James Atebe says council won't comment on the Meakin project until Sept. 7.

"I'm so nervous that council will drag this project out and that we'll lose the investment," Chadwick says. "Approving this project should be a no-brainer."

She's right.

blewis@theprovince.com