THUNDER BAY – Proposed development at the city’s waterfront could return the land to its past scenic state.
A waterfront master plan for the festival area as well as the tugboat basin and Pool 6 site within the waterfront was unveiled last week, which included an extensive trail network and other amenities that embrace a natural greenspace environment.
Jessica Hawes, waterfront master plan update project manager, said the potential that exists along the shore of Lake Superior is special for the city.
“I think this is a plan that’s unique to Thunder Bay. This is a very unique situation and a unique opportunity because of the breadth of land that is available here,” she said during a media tour of the site on Tuesday morning.
“More typically waterfronts are tending to have more of those urban moments and I think to be able really open up a piece of land and consider it as a natural connection is very unique to Thunder Bay.”
The master plan looks to clean up large pieces of waterfront property that had been previously accessible to the public such as the Pool 6 section, which was former private industrial land.
“Through the process and talking with the public we recognized there is a past industrial heritage to this land and the idea of returning this land to its original and natural state after the years of industrial activity that has happened on it was of interest,” she said.
A significant focus of the master plan is land south of Pearl Street, which would be converted to s. A centerpiece is a section of land that would be known as the Three Hills Forest Trails, which would include trails connected by bridge through three constructed hills and surrounded by a channel of water that would be used for skating in the winter.
Another focus is the tugboat basin, which would be used for non-motorized boats rather than installing more boat slips, which was the suggestion in a 2006 plan.
It became apparent during the year-long process and extensive consultation that future development should offer a different appeal than the first phase of Prince Arthur’s Landing, work which was completed within the last decade.
“Through the consultation process it became clear very quickly the priority with the community was active recreation but informal active recreation, so not’s so much sports field and formal sports location, but a place for people to experience nature on the waterfront,” she said during a Tuesday morning media tour of the site.
“There’s a more urban character to Prince Arthur’s Landing and for people who want the quieter moments and more of a connection to nature this master plan envisions providing those moments.”
The festival area would also be overhauled, with the stage and band shelter moved towards the north side of the grounds and the playground relocated. New technical infrastructure would allow for more elaborate concerts and visual displays.
Lou Morrow, city corporate project manager, said the tentative price tag associated with the master plan is $47 million, though it will be a 15 to 20 year process with city councils having the ability to implement parts of the plan piece by piece.
“This master plans builds on the successes of phase one of development. The waterfront has been utilized by the public and has been deemed a success. This is an opportunity to do more of the same,” he said.
“Really, it’s a crown jewel, the waterfront, to this city so the public has the opportunity to go from one end to the other and be connected is important,” Morrow said.
The plan was presented to city council Monday night as a first report and a public meeting will be held before the report returns in August.
