Re: Purchase of 455 Coquihalla St. (Former Esso bulk plant)
We, Echo Developments Ltd., and associates have been doing land developments and home construction in the District of Hope for more than 30 years, having built 200-plus homes in the community.
When the above property came on the market, we tried to purchase it. We were told that Imperial Oil was dealing with someone else. At that time, we heard rumours that the District was the purchaser and we were told the rumour was not true. The environmental test on the property failed and was removed from the real estate market. In March of 2017, we were advised that the environmental test had passed and the property was back on the market. In April 2017, we made an offer considerably higher than what the District is paying but we were rejected. This was three months prior to the District voting on it. Seems like the fix was in.
As a land developer, we are unable to compete with the District’s influence and public money being used. All future development plans will be put on hold until we see what our new competitor is planning to do. As the District is the new developer in town, we hope they are planning on hiring the 30-plus local people who work for us on a regular basis as their future jobs are in jeopardy.
Good luck in your new development business. Hopefully you will be able to do your new business as well as the one you were elected to do.
Steve Harvey
Echo Developments Ltd