Vancouver City Council has deferred a crucial vote regarding the establishment of British Columbia’s first Filipino cultural centre, initially scheduled for December 6, 2023. The motion, introduced by Mayor Ken Sim, was part of a lengthy council meeting that lasted over eight hours, during which nearly 200 community members voiced their opinions, predominantly in support of the project.
The proposed centre is to be located on two properties on Main Street, currently owned by PortLiving, a real estate development firm facing ongoing foreclosure proceedings. Concerns were raised about the developer’s financial stability, leading to calls for transparency regarding their ability to deliver on the promise of the cultural centre.
During the council meeting, Tobi Reyes, CEO of PortLiving, acknowledged past difficulties his company has faced. He stated, “We’ve repaid more than $400 million worth of indebtedness in the last few years, and we have also taken care of all the property tax issues on the site.” Reyes emphasized their commitment to ensuring the project’s success, despite previous setbacks, including foreclosure discussions from earlier in 2022.
The Filipino Seniors Club of BC (FSCBC), which initially supported the motion, withdrew its backing just days before the meeting. The club’s representatives expressed that the timeline for the project seemed unrealistic and insisted on the need for a standalone cultural centre. Architect Bert Morelos, who designed the Filipino Plaza, highlighted the long recovery period for developers, stating, “It takes about 8-12 years for the developer to recover what [Reyes] spent on the hotel.”
The Mabuhay House Society (MHS), a non-profit organization collaborating with the B.C. government on the cultural centre initiative, also opposed the motion. Board Chair Lester De Guzman raised concerns about previous negotiations with PortLiving, indicating that discussions about another property in Cambie had faltered. “We did not actually go through with that,” De Guzman noted, highlighting the unease within the community about moving forward with the current proposal.
Another community group, Filipino BC, has also put forward its own vision for a Filipino cultural centre in Vancouver. Board Chair RJ Aquino stressed the need for “truth and transparency” regarding the financial status of the proposed developer. Aquino questioned the wisdom of associating the community’s cultural heritage with a developer facing financial challenges: “Why do we want to even entertain bringing any kind of risk to that?”
In response to the community’s concerns, Mayor Ken Sim stated he was unaware of PortLiving’s foreclosure issues and had no personal dealings with the developer. He reassured attendees that the council’s intention is to expedite the process for establishing a Filipino cultural centre, emphasizing that any developer involved would undergo a thorough review process.
The council has instructed staff to prioritize the review of the project, taking community feedback into account. The motion will be addressed again at the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services meeting scheduled for December 10, 2023.
