Development of Fisherman's Pier

scotto

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Feb 15, 2004
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The Beach Strip
#1
Dec. 15, 12:34 EDT
Floating ideas for pier plan
Public information session to be held tomorrow, 7 p.m.
Natalie Alcoba
The Hamilton Spectator

Ducks floated on the waters of Fisherman's Pier. Wind howled under the beams of the Burlington Skyway bridge.

But there were no voices for the wind to carry, no people at the five picnic tables.

But there's a plan to redevelop the area, to bring back the crowds of old.

The Fisherman's Pier Development Plan is still in its infancy stage, but organizers are thinking big.

A public information session will be held tomorrow at the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit Hall on Beach Boulevard from 7 to 9 p.m. to introduce ideas.

One is a redevelopment area that hugs the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters, extends down both the harbour and lake side and southeast, down the length of the bridge.

"It certainly makes for one of the most complex programs that we at the Port Authority have seen before," said Jeffrey Brookfield, vice-president of the Hamilton Port Authority.

The project, anchored by the authority, involves the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transportation and local residents.

"There is a lot of interest to move this along," said Brookfield.

One idea is to develop a marina on the lake or habour side and construct a viewing centre to educate the public to the significance of the harbour. It could highlight historical and cultural spots, such as the lighthouse, said Brookfield.

There's the potential to expand on waterfront trails and to improve the shoreline for fish habitat. Brookfield said a retail strip could also be built.

He stressed that the point of tomorrow's meeting is to open the floor up to more ideas.

Any development will have to address issues that come with attracting crowds to an area underneath the Skyway bridge.

There is concern about falling debris or run off from the bridge. Brookfield isn't that worried, noting the success of Vancouver's Granville Island, a small peninsula that has a bridge running over it.

Councillor Chad Collins, who represents area residents, has already voiced his concerns over traffic congestion from the development plan. However, he recognizes the project's potential to draw people back "to an area of the city where we haven't seen them for decades."

Dan DiMarco, 25, has fished on the lake side since he was 16. He said the area's "unsightly" physical features, especially the looming smoke stacks, will make any revamp a tough sell.

"It sure needs it (though)," said Carolyn Lucas, on a morning stroll with her two children. "I love the water so I put up with anything."

Information on the project will be posted on the Port Authority website at www.hamiltonport.ca

nalcoba@thespec.com

905-526-2409

Photo-
Paul Hourigan, the Hamilton Spectator
One idea for the development of Fisherman's Pier is to build a marina and harbour viewing centre.
 

scotto

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Feb 15, 2004
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The Beach Strip
#2
Dec. 17, 12:49 EDT
What Do You See?
Port authority collecting views from public about transformation of area
Mark McNeil
The Hamilton Spectator


Imagine walking along the docks of a brand new marina -- part of a complex of restaurants, stores and an outdoor theatre -- as a gentle summer breeze carries away the lazy afternoon.

It might be a little hard to imagine with the winter chill in the air these days, but Hamilton's Port Authority wants to turn Fisherman's Pier on the Beach Strip into a waterfront place reminiscent of Granville Island in Vancouver.

"It's going to be a unique recreational centre where families can play and people can enjoy the waterfront," said Hamilton Port Authority president and CEO Keith Robson.

The port authority held a public information session last night at the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit Hall to ask for public input on the proposed project.

The authority first announced its plans 1 1/2 years ago for the development, which could cost more than $20 million.

And "could" is the key word, port authority officials say. The plan is expected to require three environmental assessments because of different government jurisdictions, said Jeff Brookfield, the Hamilton port's vice-president of operations.

Those assessments would take at least a year and construction could begin some time in 2006.

He said last night's meeting was the first of several sessions to collect public views on the project.

The authority describes the project on its website as a "development that will complement other waterfront developments in the area, meet the needs of boaters, attract visitors as well as local residents and be an environmentally sustainable and attractive destination. The plan could include a marina, enhanced recreational trail features, restaurants and speciality shops, fish and wildlife habitat and the use of green technologies for servicing the site."

The Beach Strip around the Burlington Ship Canal -- which is port authority-owned land -- is a "wasteland" now, said Robson.

But for much of the 20th century, the area was a thriving carnival midway.

There was a 1912 ferris wheel and a 1914 merry-go-round. The park was opened in 1903 by the Canada Amusement Company and by the time it closed in 1978, it hosted 19 different rides.

Robson said the port authority is hoping to develop the project with private sector partners. But so far no deals have been struck.

Granville Island, a waterfront project created out of a derelict industrial region of abandoned factories and warehouses in Vancouver, would be an inspiration for Hamilton's project, Robson said. But the Fisherman's Pier project would be much smaller.

The Granville Island project opened 25 years ago and has been an enormous success, with 320 business, including two theatres, half a dozen restaurants and two ferry services.

mmcneil@thespec.com

905-526-4687


Photo-
Paul Hourigan, the Hamilton Spectator
One day the Beach Strip at Fisherman's Pier, now so forlorn-looking and uninviting, will be a unique recreational centre, if the Hamilton Port Authority has its way.

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