Mission Waterfront Revitalization Strategy & Master Planning

Client: City of Mission

Location: Mission, BC

Role: Development Lead & Advisor

Scale: 300-acre Strategic Waterfront Redevelopment

Value: $120M

Results: Advanced project significantly, recognized as Canada’s “most outstanding investment opportunity 2023”

What They Needed

The City required:

✅ A clear, shared development vision and strategy endorsed by all decision-makers

✅ A comprehensive & proven framework that helps them understand & mitigate risk

✅ A governance and partner model to support implementation

✅ An implementation roadmap to move from concept to execution

✅ An engagement process with all stakeholders, landowners, and Nations around the strategy and implementation plan

The opportunity was massive — but no one knew how to move it forward.

Why This Matters

If your land development project is stalled because of:

❌ Too many decision-makers

❌ Lack of shared vision or roadmap

❌ Unclear financial viability

❌ Risk concerns stopping movement

❌ Paralysis instead of progress

We have a proven framework that moves projects from

stuck → aligned → advancing → capital-ready.

The Challenge

For 40 years, and many previous failed attempts, the site remained underutilized due to:

✅ Multiple conflicting visions & interests & priorities

✅ No unified roadmap or sequencing to move toward development

✅ Decision paralysis at the political and administrative levels

✅ Private sector developer engagement stalled due to lack of clarity on overall direction and too many risks & challenges

✅ Infrastructure complexity (rail, floodplain, access routes, servicing)

✅ High perceived risk + lack of financial feasibility modeling

The opportunity was massive — but no one knew how to move it forward

The Results

✅ Council unanimously endorsed the Mission Waterfront Revitalization Strategy & Mission Waterfront Implementation Roadmap

✅ Roadmap approved and budget provided to move toward phased implementation

✅ Masterplanning process updated & comprehensively executed

✅ Bridgehead Development Corporation established to lead implementation

✅ Risk and financial viability established → enabled partner engagement

✅ Project nationally positioned and recognized as “One of Canada’s Top Investment Opportunities” by Economic Development Council of Canada

✅ Triggered market interest from credible developers & infrastructure partners

✅ Project advanced from concept to strategic execution and investment stage

“Purpose Driven Development brought clarity where there was confusion. They helped us align Council, understand the financial potential, mitigate risk, and advance one of the most complex waterfronts in Canada with confidence. They transformed a stuck opportunity into a nationally recognized economic catalyst.”

— Stacey Crawford, CEO Mission Bridgehead Investment Corporation (former Senior City Official)

Roles & Deliverables:

  • Key areas of our role and deliverables include:

    • Establishing and implementing a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy to align 89 distinct landowners;

    • Led workshops with Mayor, Council, and key staff to outline a comprehensive vision and priorities for the future of the waterfront linked to broader strategic City objectives;

    • Recommendation and Strategic Development Advice on economic development implementation models to successfully deliver the Waterfront Revitalization Strategy;

    • Delivered an Intergovernmental Engagement Strategy;

    • Co-led the Steering Committee comprised of City of Mission staff, representatives from key stakeholder groups, First Nations, and government agencies;

    • Led workshops with stakeholder groups including landowners and First Nations;

    • Full Service Development Management including (not limited to):

    • Procurement & management of full consultant team including the general contractor, working with BC Housing’s procurement team;

    • Developing comprehensive project schedules, budgets, and work plans;

    • Securing funding and financing to fund pre-development phases.

    • Cost control and budget management including invoice and lender draw coordination.

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