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SteelTown Dec 4, 2007 12:13 PM

Hamilton Waterfront
 
CHARTING A NEW COURSE

Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 4, 2007)

A new vision of the city's waterfront is trying to calm a storm of controversy brewing over the future of west Hamilton Harbour.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trust has unveiled its proposed plan for the shoreline, offering a radically different take than a city consultant paid some $600,000.

"This really is a compromise between all users," said Werner Plessl, the trust's executive director.

At a high level, the trust's plan is cheaper -- about $70 million to implement versus $83 million for the city's preferred plan -- and offers more retail and commercial space to generate taxes and attract visitors to the harbour.

"We want this to be a year-round destination," said Councillor Chad Collins, chair of the trust's board.

The alternative proposal leaves all but one of the waterfront's boathouses in place, instead of combining them under one roof as the consultant recommended.

The consultant's preferred plan, which covers Bayfront Park to Pier 8, has been under fire since it was unveiled earlier this year. The city is still collecting public input on the proposal before bringing it to council in the new year for approval.

"There are certainly some challenges," said Christine Lee Morrison, the city's manager of strategic and environmental planning.

But while there has been negative feedback from waterfront users, Morrison said there has also been lots of positive reviews about the consultant's design.

She said city staff plan to meet with the trust to review its proposal before drafting the final recommended plan.

SteelTown Dec 4, 2007 12:18 PM

Taking a different tack
Add more waterfront restaurants, shops -- and people will flock to invest, Chamber of Commerce boss says

December 04, 2007
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 4, 2007)

Who should rule the waterfront and who should pay the way?

Those two critical questions are the focus of the debate over the future of west Hamilton Harbour.

A city consultant has recommended an overhaul of the shoreline from Bayfront Park to Pier 4. The proposal, which would uproot several boat clubs to be housed under one roof, has left some waterfront users with a sinking feeling.

Hamilton's Waterfront Trust, a nonprofit organization at arm's length from the city, has thrown out an alternative proposal that it hopes will be a lifesaver.

So far, many harbour users are buoyed by the new plan.

"It seems to be a much more balanced approach," said John Dolbec, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, which calls the waterfront home.

The trust's proposal offers nearly seven times more commercial space, from restaurants to shops, to encourage the private sector to invest in the waterfront, said Dolbec.

"People will flock to invest money down there."

The more private opportunities available, the less public money needed to transform the area, Dolbec said, noting the taxes from development will also help pay off the city's investment.

Councillor Chad Collins said the trust's plan offers more parking, overnight accommodation and additional public spaces -- albeit less boat storage -- at a cheaper price because it isn't paying for mass redevelopment on the boathouse sites.

The trust developed its proposal after reviewing the consultant's research, public feedback and its own field trips, said Collins.

"We've stolen the best concepts from waterfronts around North America."

The trust's alternative plan leaves all the boathouses in their existing locations, except for MacDonald Marine, which the consultant also recommended be moved.

Under the trust plan, the Leander Boat Club would undergo a facade renovation.

Instead of one massive boating facility described by the consultant, the trust plan envisions a civic waterfront facility at the bottom of Bay Street that would combine the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, chamber and public amenities.

City staff plan to review the trust's proposal before bringing their final recommendation to council in the new year.

SteelTown Dec 4, 2007 12:19 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...frontplans.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...aterfront1.jpg

DC83 Dec 4, 2007 1:49 PM

What did the city have planned re: parking?
I kind of like this idea, and appreciate the fact that it's more commercial oriented... I just like the whole Piazza feel over the a-typical "nautical/cape cod" theme most waterfronts have.

raisethehammer Dec 4, 2007 2:03 PM

I love this!
Gee whiz...the local boaters and folks who live here were able to develop a plan that is better than what some overpriced consultant gave us. Who knew??

They should toss that other plan in the trash immediately and go with this. The only thing I'd like them to keep from the first plan is the winter skating rink at James and Guise area.

markbarbera Dec 4, 2007 4:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83 (Post 3204507)
What did the city have planned re: parking?
I kind of like this idea, and appreciate the fact that it's more commercial oriented... I just like the whole Piazza feel over the a-typical "nautical/cape cod" theme most waterfronts have.

Also from today's Spec:

http://lh4.google.com/mark.barbera/R...frontstats.JPG

DC83 Dec 4, 2007 4:28 PM

Thanks, man.

So the city had actually planned for 400+ less parking spots? Was that b/c it was all surface and the Waterfront Trust's plans for Underground?

SteelTown Dec 4, 2007 4:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer (Post 3204520)
The only thing I'd like them to keep from the first plan is the winter skating rink at James and Guise area.

If you look hard enough you can see a blue pond at Pier 4. So the skating rink idea is still alive.

raisethehammer Dec 4, 2007 4:50 PM

I love the look of that rendering along Guise St. that would be great to tie it into the harbour.

fastcarsfreedom Dec 4, 2007 9:13 PM

I love it. I grew up dreaming/anticipating that day that Hamilton took advantage of it's priceless waterfront--finally glad to see things stepping in this direction--we got the parks--now we need the vibrancy of commercial development. I love it...bring it on, more more more.

SteelTown Dec 5, 2007 4:09 AM

Commercial square
http://www.thespec.com/images/assets/401568_3.JPG

Civic Waterfront Centre
http://www.thespec.com/images/assets/401569_3.JPG

Leander Boat Club
http://www.thespec.com/images/assets/401570_3.JPG

raisethehammer Dec 5, 2007 4:19 AM

let's hope this passes and starts getting built sometime in the next few decades.
It's a great sounding plan.

raisethehammer Dec 6, 2007 2:50 PM

oh please find a real CEO, AND FAST!!!

http://www.investinhamilton.ca/pdf/MR-PortCEO.pdf

DC83 Dec 6, 2007 3:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer (Post 3209535)
oh please find a real CEO, AND FAST!!!

http://www.investinhamilton.ca/pdf/MR-PortCEO.pdf

OMG NO!!! That's what I get for saying his name the other day. He's like Candyman... just more Vampire-like. Don't same his name or he'll show up (in rediculous roles, apparently).

What's he going to do? Decide Fofty Point Marina needs more work than the Harbourfront?

raisethehammer Dec 6, 2007 4:21 PM

I think the Port will now open our new VIA station on a slag pile on Pier 24.

DC83 Dec 11, 2007 7:03 PM

Waterfront redevelopment on the table

Dec, 11 2007 - 8:00 AM

HAMILTON (AM900 CHML) - The future of the Hamilton waterfront will be up for discussion when two key groups meet this week.
The Hamilton Waterfront Trust will meet with representatives from the city.

Both have come up with different ideas for the Harbour between Bayfront Park and Pier 8.

But both groups say they're willing to compromise and will meet Friday to discuss the issue.

http://900chml.com/news/news_local.c...news_local.cfm

SteelTown Dec 11, 2007 11:07 PM

Double vision
Waterfront trust, city differ on plans for harbour

Emma Reilly
Special to The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 11, 2007)

City representatives and the Hamilton Waterfront Trust will meet on Friday to discuss the future of west Hamilton Harbour.

The two groups have proposed radically different visions for a stretch of land between Bayfront Park and Pier 8.

"We're going to differ, because they're fundamentally different plans," said Chris Firth-Eagland, consultant to the waterfront trust. "We think 'year-round, all Hamiltonians,' they think 'boating community.'"

The city's favoured plan features almost 1,000 mooring spaces, a large boathouse, and a non-motorized boating area. The waterfront trust's plan places more emphasis on preserving the natural shoreline and expanding commercial and retail space.

Both say they want to make the waterfront more accessible to the public.

The city requested proposals for developing the west harbour in 2005. The waterfront trust did not submit an entry, said Justin Readman, project manager of environmental planning.

"We're not in the business of submitting proposals," said waterfront trust executive director Werner Plessl. What they've submitted is a reaction to the city plan. "If they have a procedure that we don't fit into, that's fine."

Still, both groups say they're willing to compromise.

"We're willing to work with everyone who has an interest in the waterfront," said Gerry Davis, senior director of capital planning and implementation for the city.

The players
* Hamilton Waterfront Trust: A Hamilton-based charitable organization

Why you know them:
Pier 4 and Bayfront parks
Hamilton waterfront trolley

* City consultants: A Mississauga-based team of architects and engineers led by ENVision -- The Hough Group and including architects Montgomery Sisam

Why you know them:
Port Credit harbour (an ENVision -- The Hough Group project)
Humber River pedestrian bridge (a Montgomery Sisam project)

Proposed costs
* Hamilton Waterfront Trust: $70 million

* City: $83 million

Plan highlights
* Waterfront trust
540 metres of new boardwalk, 1,200 metres of new water's edge access
No harbour infilling
Underground parking

* City
Lots of boat storage
Bringing several boathouses together under one roof
Multi-use waterfront centre
Plan drawbacks

* Waterfront trust
Lack of boating storage space
Multi-storey buildings that could block views

* City
Filling in areas of the harbour; net loss of water space
Above-ground parking lots and boat storage on valuable harbour land

Both plans feature:
* A designated swimming area
* An artisan market
* More public washrooms and concession stands
* Kayak/small boat rental

Hamilton has raised water rates well above the pace of inflation for each of the past five years to catch up on overdue maintenance and reflect the actual cost of service.

raisethehammer Jun 6, 2008 2:08 PM

I found this online today:

http://www.detroitriverfront.org/

I've long said that a few simple steps could bring a lot more activity and life to our waterfront.
1. A carousel. Kids love it and what better way to revitalize an area than to get kids loving it.
2. Bike rentals. Add boat/peddleboat rentals as well at our waterfront.
3. Interactive water fountains. Awesome in heat like this.
4. Cafes/eateries. More options. Hutch's and Williams are good, but it's time for more.

Also, all of these things could be done downtown too. My kids LOVE the small merry-go round in Gore Park each Christmas.

Hamilton needs to plan some small, but important steps like this instead of always focusing on massive projects.

DC83 Jun 6, 2008 3:42 PM

^^ Everyone loved the historic corrousel (sp?) at Port Dalhousie before they tore it down. That thing was an attraction in itself!

FairHamilton Jun 6, 2008 4:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83 (Post 3597067)
^^ Everyone loved the historic corrousel (sp?) at Port Dalhousie before they tore it down. That thing was an attraction in itself!

They tore it dwon!!!!! That is a true shame.

An old girlfriend took me there one cold rainy spring day and we rode that thing for at least 30 minutes at a nickel a ride. I'd always wanted to go back and ride it again one day.

That news is a real downer...........


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