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.
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.