ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw /Jericho Lands to become future complete community
The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will become a new high-density, mixed-use, car-light community shaped by the culture of the MST Nations, after Vancouver City Council approved the Jericho Lands Policy Statement today.
The Policy Statement sets directions for the redevelopment of the ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands, a 90-acre (36 hectare) site owned by the joint venture partnership of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) (collectively the MST Nations) and Canada Lands Company (CLC).
The redevelopment of the site will embrace its natural setting and be welcoming and inclusive to all, with approximately 13,000 new homes for around 24,000 residents, space for around 3,000 jobs, and a variety of community amenities, including about 30 acres (12 hectares) of parks and open spaces, and walking and cycling paths.
Over the next 25-30 years, ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will develop to include:
- 13,000 new homes for 24,000 residents, which includes ~2,600 units of social housing and ~1,300 secured market and below-market rentals
- Space for a variety of commercial, light industrial and retail businesses accommodating around 3,000 jobs
- 259 childcare spaces for 0-4 year-olds and 240 spaces for 5-12 year-olds
- 20 acres (eight hectares) of park space
- 10 acres (four hectares) of public open spaces
- Community centre
- Arts, cultural and social spaces, including MST Nations’ self-determined spaces (e.g. artist studios, spaces for carving, food, dance, music, weaving or other activities, and spaces for ceremonies, healing, employment training, youth, elders, families)
- Non-traditional library (House of Learning)
- Renewal and expansion of Firehall #19
- Street upgrades, new walking and cycling connections, plazas, and transit integration
- Storm and potable water upgrades
- *New Vancouver School Board elementary school
- *Proposed UBCx Jericho Lands SkyTrain station
(* to be delivered in partnership with other agencies)
Background
The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands are a 90-acre (36 hectare) site in Vancouver’s West Point Grey neighbourhood, bounded by West 4th Avenue to the north, Highbury Street to the east, West 8th Ave/West Broadway to the south and Discovery Street/Trimble Park to the west.
The Jericho Lands planning program was initiated by the City at the request of the landowners, the joint venture partnership between the MST Nations and Canada Lands Company (CLC). The comprehensive planning process began in 2019 and the Policy Statement was shaped through four phases of consultation with people across the city, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations’ members, and other stakeholders.
The Policy Statement is a guiding document that establishes principles, objectives, and policies on topics including Reconciliation, land uses and density, building types and heights, community amenities, mobility, sustainability and infrastructure, ecology, parks and open spaces, and development phasing. Following Council’s approval of the Policy Statement, staff will prepare the Official Development Plan for the future redevelopment of the site which will take place in phases over the next 25-30 years. In parallel, staff will also begin working with the landowners on the rezoning of the first phase of development.
Learn more at: shapeyourcity.ca/jericho-lands
Quotes
Mayor Ken Sim:
“We’re thrilled that this major Indigenous-led project will reflect the MST Nations’ culture, history and deep connection to the land, paving the way for new opportunities and prosperity for future generations of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Peoples. The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will play a pivotal role in our city, evolving into a livable, sustainable neighbourhood featuring a significant number of new homes for diverse income levels and amenities centred around rapid transit.”
yəχʷyaχʷələq-Chief Wayne Sparrow, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm:
“Our people have been on these lands for thousands of years. To own them again and to be redeveloping them for the benefit of our people is us returning home. Along with our Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh relatives, we look forward to this opportunity to reclaim our heritage, revitalize our lands, and shape a future that reflects our values and aspirations.”
Sxwíxwtn-Wilson Williams, Spokesperson and General Councillor, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh:
“We are proud of our culture and look forward to sharing our way of life and worldview with all who will live in and visit ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands. With this new sustainable neighbourhood, we are creating modern Indigenous communities, offering a vibrant and inclusive environment for residents and visitors to thrive.”
Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ:
“In returning our culture to these lands, we honour our ancestors and Elders who taught us our traditions and stories. The efforts we make today, together with our relatives Squamish and Musqueam, are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to generate wealth that can be invested into our community to improve the quality of life for not only the current generations, but also for the next seven generations to come.”
Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company:
“Canada Lands Company welcomes Vancouver City Council’s endorsement of the Policy Statement for the Jericho Lands. This project has been years in the making, working together with MST and the City, and through significant engagement and hearing from so many diverse voices, deeply connected to this land. This is a plan that will deliver so many benefits for the City of Vancouver, including much needed housing, and we are excited about what’s to come.”