Langford envisions its own ‘Central Park,’ but dozens of tenants to be displaced – BC

The City of Langford is creating a new six-acre park in its downtown core, which involves the eviction of residents from a long-running trailer park.

In December, the city agreed to purchase the Woodlands Park property for $9.8 million, significantly below its assessed value. The retiring owners will receive an $8.325-million donation credit to compensate for the difference.

Current residents of the park have been given a five-year timeline to stay, after which the city plans to buy their manufactured homes for their assessed value plus 10 per cent. Those who choose to leave earlier will receive the same offer.

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Raccoon apprehended by RCMP from inside Langford home

John Davies, a resident of one of the 40 manufactured homes on the property, expressed that the sale was not unexpected.

He considers the city’s offer to be “fairly reasonable,” although many of his neighbors are feeling stressed about the situation.

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“A developer I am not sure would have given us what we’re getting from the city,” he said.

“There are some people in here who are just managing to get by right now, and if you’ve got to move and go into something that’s a little bit more costly, it could be a problem.”

The city states that the plan exceeds the requirements of B.C.’s Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.

“This once-in-a-generation initiative will transform Langford’s downtown by adding much-needed greenspace, trails and gardens while preserving the biodiversity and mature tree canopy for residents to enjoy,” Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson said in a media release.

Langford Coun. Colby Harder commended the property’s owners for agreeing to sell to the city below market value.

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Langford family forced out by demoviction, house still standing

“It’s been a long-term vision of theirs to ensure that this park remains protected and eventually turn into a public park for the enjoyment of all, so that really is reflected in the purchase price as their legacy and their vision,” she said.

The city highlights that the property boasts mature trees, botanical flower beds, and serene pathways.

Harder mentioned that the city aims to create a “beautiful green oasis” akin to one of the world’s most renowned urban parks in Victoria.

“I’ve compared it to the visual of New York’s Central Park,” she said. “Imagine New York without Central Park.”

Harder assured that the city will collaborate with residents over the next five years to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

“Any time a private landowner decides to sell, there’s always the uncertainty that is presented to the existing tenants,” Harder said.

“So while we don’t have a crystal ball to project where they will end up, our hope is that we will be able to support them with whatever decision they choose to make.”

Davies, a resident of Langford since 1968, mentioned that he is undecided about his next steps.

He expressed that relocating the mobile home would be both costly and challenging.

“It means finding a new place to live in the next five years,” he said. “But you never know, at my age I could be in a home by then.”

The city plans to fund $7 million of the purchase through the provincial Growing Communities Fund grant received in 2023 and allocate $1 million per year from 2025 to 2029 for tenant support. The remaining cost will be covered through a property tax increase of about 1.75 per cent in 2029.