Reclaimed beaches, extended biking trails and a revamped festival area are all possibilities should the city move ahead with Phase 2 of its ambitious waterfront development plan.
But consultant Calvin Brook, a principal with BrookMcIlory cautioned any future development would likely be done in incremental stages, as money to pay for the work becomes available.
On Thursday night the public had its first chance to have a say in what they would like to see included in Phase 2, providing feedback via an hour-long workshop at an open house hosted by the consultants in conjunction with the city.
Reaction was mixed.
Keith Nymark said he likes what he saw being presented and thinks the city should go ahead with many of the ideas.
“I think it’s really quite exciting. The marina is just a special area for us. To see a development being planned, I think it’s great and I think it’s where we have to go,” Nymark said.
“I like the idea of the art gallery being down on the waterfront. I think if they feel their space is confined and they need a larger space and a bigger profile, I think they could get it there.”
Earlier this year the city gave the go-ahead to further study on moving the Thunder Bay Art Gallery from the campus at Confederation College to the waterfront, an estimated $25-million expense.
Nymark, one of about 80 people in attendance, also likes the idea of extending Boulevard Lake bike paths along the waterfront, connecting the north and south sides of the city.
“I think that should be established right along the shoreline. I’d like to see it in the industrial areas so you could see the mills working and the boats coming and going. I think that could have a real draw for people.”
Jon Powers, a long-time city hall observer, said he’d like to see the next phase include a cruise-ship terminal at Pool 6.
“That was the original focus way back 10 or so years ago. They should refocus to have something like that and maybe leave the rest green area for more eco-tourism and bike trails and pathways for walking.”
Powers added he thinks this phase of development is being conducted much more openly than Phase 1.
It fits with Brook’s vision.
The consultant said the plan, which includes the festival area, Pool 6 and lands south of Pearl Street, would be less about buildings and more about the natural environment.
It will also look at Tugboat Basin, originally scheduled to house 300 marina slips, to determine if it’s the best spot for boaters or if there might be better locations. Changes to the festival area could involve moving the bandshell to face the lake and closing Saul Laskin Drive to expand the site.
Nothing is set in stone.
“We’re really here to brainstorm with the public about what they think the best use of that land might be,” Brook said.
“It’s public land so it really has to be a public decision. And we actually find that the best ideas usually come out of these kinds of sessions.”
Not everyone was happy with the process.
Ray Innes spoke out loudly, questioning why the consultants were not taking questions from the public.
An hour of feedback isn’t long enough, he said.
“What happens with these conclusions, they go back to city council and they go as gospel,” Innes said. “We were through this charade on Phase 1.”
The consultants will collect the data and plan to create a draft option which will be brought back to the public online early next year before a final report is presented to council in late February or early March.
Mark Smith, the city's general manager of development services, said no money has been committed to the as-yet-uncosted Phase 2 development.
