Somass Lands

On December 12, 2023 the City of Port Alberni announced that Matthews West Developments Ltd. has been selected as the development partner for the redevelopment of the Somass Lands. This significant milestone marks the next step in the transformation of the 43-acre waterfront property, formerly the site of the Somass Division sawmill.

Following a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process launched in early September 2022, the City received a total of 16 responses from organizations and developers expressing a diverse and significant interest in occupying a portion of the redeveloped Somass Lands or leading the redevelopment in partnership with the City.

Results from the REOI informed the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process in which the City extended invitations to developers that had demonstrated experience and capability.

Matthews West Developments Ltd. stood out as the ideal partner, meeting all the criteria, including vision and methodology.

Click on one of the following links for recent media coverage on the announcement!

• Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/10165485/port-alberni-bc-developer-waterfront-revitalization/
• Alberni Valley News: https://www.albernivalleynews.com/local-news/city-of-port-alberni-partners-with-matthews-west-developments-on-somass-lands-7283430
• Times Columnist: https://www.timescolonist.com/business/texas-firm-subsidiary-chosen-to-develop-somass-lands-in-port-alberni-7974234
• Nanaimo News Bulletin: https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/port-alberni-has-partner-in-developing-waterfronts-keystone-somass-lands-7285488
• Chek News: https://www.cheknews.ca/port-alberni-chooses-developer-for-somass-lands-plans-for-mixed-use-site-1181627/
• Squamish Chief: https://www.squamishchief.com/local-news/squamishs-matthews-west-takes-on-port-alberni-project-7960877
• MSN News: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/port-alberni-picks-b-c-developer-to-revitalize-prime-waterfront-land/ar-AA1lpoCn
• Ground News: https://ground.news/article/port-alberni-has-partner-in-developing-waterfronts-keystone-somass-lands