[SteelTown]

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.