The City is investigating the next steps to accomplish Plan A from Paul Mitchell Inc.'s Waterfront commercial attraction feasability study.
Everyone agrees that something has to be done to the Waterfront and King’s Landing wharf. But what, exactly?
That’s the question that City Councillors have agreed to pursue further by voting in favour of proceeding with more studies to achieve one of the options presented to them two weeks ago in a Waterfront Tourist Commercial Attraction Feasibility Study.
The inquiry will examine such factors as the exact engineering and environmental requirements that would go into the design.
“We’re not approving any money to be spent at all tonight, it’s just about us moving forward with the studies before we spend any money,” said Mayor Al McDonald.
Project A, as it was called in Paul Mitchell Inc.’s presentation a fortnight ago, would see the construction of a new dock for the Chief Commanda II to a more central and easily accessible location.
Such an extension would see the cruise ship dock at a new structure at the stern of the Chief Commanda I restaurant, with discontinued access to the existing wharf and boathouses.
The option being scrutinized is projected as the least expensive of the four development options in the report, estimated at $2,610,600 on the low end, with multiple additional options that could see that price tag inch closer to $3 million upon completion.
Despite the progress though, City Councillors were very quick to emphasize the fact that their vote on Monday evening was simply to gather more information so they can make a more educated decision. Ultimately, the City could decide to do everything suggested to them or nothing at all.
The original feasibility study included other future recommendations that could include a relocated boat launch, an expanded boardwalk, a water-feature that could be used as a skating rink in the winter, additional picnic shelters, and a wakeboard cable park.
Council also heard multiple public presentations before voting on furthering their studies, with encouraging words coming from some prominent members of the community who urged those in attendance to place the waterfront redevelopment as a high priority.
“I believe moving forward with this proposal will enhance the quality of life even more,” said longtime North Bay resident Hariett Madigan. “Any opportunity we have to gather in beautiful green public spaces and interact as a community is worthwhile.
“I believe that our community will be better, healthier, more enduring and stronger if we move forward with this recommendation,” Madigan continued.
Considerations for an overhaul to the waterfront were catalyzed by the urgent need to replace King’s Landing wharf, which, according to experts, is in desperate need of repair in order to see it remain a “workable and safe facility.”
But Councillor Mark King, in particular, took issue with moving forward with the studies. Instead of looking at possible expansion opportunities, he argued, the City should prioritize repairing the existing wharf first and foremost.
“We need to take a good, hard look at what we’re doing with taxpayers’ money,” King emphasized multiple times throughout the evening. “Quite frankly, we have to maintain that dock in workable condition…and there’s a limited amount of money that’s available to make that happen.”
The vote on Monday also approved the pursuit for additional funding, which could include private, institutional, and Federal and Provincial government sources. Mayor McDonald did note that money is allocated for the project in the 2015 and 2016.
Pursuing these studies now and grounding themselves in the necessary knowledge, he argued, will give the City a solidified plan that could see that money used in the most effective way.
Council also voted to investigate next steps in developing an “Urban Design Land Use Plan” that would more effectively tie the waterfront, the Community Waterfront Park and the downtown core together.
As was said during the meeting though, simply re-docking the Chief Commanda II might not be the force-multiplying factor that sees the three areas blend together.
“My hope is that, if we spend this money and come up with a reasonable plan, the plan is executed well,” said Councillor George Maroosis. “We have to be proactive, but we have to be careful.”
But now, instead of relying on speculation and hypothetical scenarios, the City will have answers to the many questions that need addressing before a decision gets made.
