Port Alberni city council has begun the legal process to expropriate a strategically located dormant mill site on the community's waterfront. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

City action

Port Alberni wants control of dormant waterfront mill property

Jun 22, 2021 | 1:29 PM

PORT ALBERNI — City councillors in Port Alberni are demanding Western Forest Products hand over the keys to the Somass mill site if they’re not going to use the property.

Mayor Sharie Minions said the City launched an expropriation process under the province’s Community Charter for the 43 acre waterfront property she called likely the most important piece of land in Port Alberni.

“Unfortunately we just haven’t seen any action on redevelopment of this site or alternatively re-opening the sawmill so council felt compelled to take this action,” Minions told reporters.

Minions wants to see the land opened up for public use and economic development projects.

“In a community that has quite limited access to waterfront as it is as well as limited access to industrial lands it is just a critical piece of property for us moving forward,” Minions said.

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WFP has not commented on the legal notice they received from the City of Port Alberni Tuesday morning.

The company shut down the cedar mill in July 2017 which only operated on a single shift prior to its indefinite closure.

The company cited the shut down on a lack of supply and uncertainty caused by Canadian based softwood lumber products destined for U.S. markets.

The old Somass mill site is located adjacent to Port Alberni’s downtown one block from its popular Harbour Quay.

—with files from Dave Wiwchar/93.3 FM The Peak

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