Posted with full permission from the hamilton Spectator.
October 12, 2007
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 12, 2007)
Post-9/11 security measures are closing a few windows on Hamilton Harbour.
The Hamilton Port Authority, following dictates from Transport Canada, is fencing off many of its facilities and installing card-access locks, electronic gates and video surveillance systems to limit access.
That means you won't be able to drive freely to the water's edge at Eastport along the Beach Strip, where the former Board of Hamilton Harbour Commissioners once maintained two public parkettes and viewing sites.
And you may find it hard to reach the water at the foot of some streets in the bayfront industrial area.
Danny Slade, manager of marine operations, told city council this week the authority has begun to implement the measures and expects to complete them by year-end.
After presenting a general outline, he said, "It would be prudent not to go into greater detail at this time."
Linda MacDonald, operations vice-president and harbourmaster, said a public meeting to explain the impact would be held sometime in December.
Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins, whose east-end ward includes the Beach Strip, noted the harbour Remedial Action Plan calls for greater access and expressed concern over the Fisherman's Pier area and plans for a trail on the bay side of the sand strip.
MacDonald said the authority would soon be inviting proposals for recreational-commercial development at Fisherman's Pier, but has to secure access to its shipping and industrial areas.
"We will be controlling access to all of Eastport," she said. "There will be fencing."
She told Collins the two formerly public viewing sites "will be part of the controlled facilities."
Chain-link fencing has already gone up between Windermere Basin, which the city is developing as passive parkland, and the authority's road-rail bridge that connects Strathearne Avenue to Eastport across the basin mouth.
When Councillor Terry Whitehead asked how the authority plans mesh with the city's vision of access to the waterfront for the general public, Mayor Fred Eisenberger mentioned that he and councillors Collins and Bob Bratina are on a liaison committee with the authority, though it has not met regularly.
Councillor Brad Clark said he thought the port security measures were in keeping with tightened security around airports.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650
October 12, 2007
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 12, 2007)
Post-9/11 security measures are closing a few windows on Hamilton Harbour.
The Hamilton Port Authority, following dictates from Transport Canada, is fencing off many of its facilities and installing card-access locks, electronic gates and video surveillance systems to limit access.
That means you won't be able to drive freely to the water's edge at Eastport along the Beach Strip, where the former Board of Hamilton Harbour Commissioners once maintained two public parkettes and viewing sites.
And you may find it hard to reach the water at the foot of some streets in the bayfront industrial area.
Danny Slade, manager of marine operations, told city council this week the authority has begun to implement the measures and expects to complete them by year-end.
After presenting a general outline, he said, "It would be prudent not to go into greater detail at this time."
Linda MacDonald, operations vice-president and harbourmaster, said a public meeting to explain the impact would be held sometime in December.
Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins, whose east-end ward includes the Beach Strip, noted the harbour Remedial Action Plan calls for greater access and expressed concern over the Fisherman's Pier area and plans for a trail on the bay side of the sand strip.
MacDonald said the authority would soon be inviting proposals for recreational-commercial development at Fisherman's Pier, but has to secure access to its shipping and industrial areas.
"We will be controlling access to all of Eastport," she said. "There will be fencing."
She told Collins the two formerly public viewing sites "will be part of the controlled facilities."
Chain-link fencing has already gone up between Windermere Basin, which the city is developing as passive parkland, and the authority's road-rail bridge that connects Strathearne Avenue to Eastport across the basin mouth.
When Councillor Terry Whitehead asked how the authority plans mesh with the city's vision of access to the waterfront for the general public, Mayor Fred Eisenberger mentioned that he and councillors Collins and Bob Bratina are on a liaison committee with the authority, though it has not met regularly.
Councillor Brad Clark said he thought the port security measures were in keeping with tightened security around airports.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650