Marina occupants clearing out Aug. 31

MacDonald Marine in the west harbour has until the end of the month to clear out of the cityowned waterfront property it has been leasing for the past 40 years.

The marina’s owner, Sandy MacDonald, and the City of Hamilton negotiated a “wind-down agreement” to give MacDonald three months beyond the lease expiry date of May 31 to move out, said Chris Phillips, the city’s head of waterfront development.

The marina is closing because the city has other ideas for the property as part of massive revitalization of the west harbour and won’t renew the lease.

Plans for the property between Bayfront Park and Pier 4 Park call for shoreline naturalization, greater public access, a home for the Hamilton Police Marine Unit, and possibly some kind of public display of caves used by rumrunner Ben Kerr during Prohibition.

MacDonald could not be reached for comment. In an interview with The Spectator in early May, he said it would be impossible for him to clear out by the end of that month.

Phillips said the city is also working with about 20 permanent residents who live on boats to find somewhere else for them to go.

This fall, the police marine unit will move from 17 Discovery Dr. to temporary quarters at the marina, with plans for a permanent home in 2021.