WEST HARBOUR PLANS
Pier 8 Promenade Park Cost – $6.5 million What – A pathway park that will stretch along the northern and eastern borders of Pier 8. The park, designed by the Toronto firm Forrec Ltd., celebrates the harbour’s industrial and marine heritage by, among other things, incorporating giant ship hulls as part of the design. The park is intended for the general public as well as people who will live in the planned housing development beside it on the pier.
Where – The northern and eastern edge of Pier 8, 30 metres back from the water.
Status – A design contest of six submissions settled on the Forrec concept called Hamilton: Harbour City. Over the next several months, designers from the company will work with city officials on a final plan with a developer to begin construction next spring with completion by the end of 2018 or early 2019.
Pier 8 shoreline rehabilitation
Cost – $13.2 million What – Pier 8 has needed shoreline rehabilitation for a long time, says Phillips. “We’re ensuring that it will be up to today’s standards and it will last a long time.” Where – Around the northern and eastern sides of the pier beside where the promenade park will be.
Status – To be started next spring and finished later in the year.
Pier infrastructure construction
Cost – $9 million What – Build sewer, water lines, electricity connections as well as roads to make the area shovel-ready for the planned housing/commercial development in Pier 8, and accommodate development on nearby piers.
Where – Piers 8, 7 and 6, with the bulk of the work being done on Pier 8
Status – To begin spring of 2018 and completed the same year or early 2019.
Pier 6 and 7 redevelopment
Cost – $15 million What – Shoreline rehabilitation, pedestrian access, and a “commercial village.” Where – Pier 6 and 7 stretches between the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club and Discovery Drive. Status – Construction is expected to start in 2018 and finish in 2019 or 2020.
Pier 8 housing and commercial development Cost – To be determined with involvement of a private sector partner
What – A housing project of up to 1,600 units in nine development blocks that would be built in phases over several years depending on market demand and other issues. The project will have commercial and public spaces as well.
Where – Pier 8, back 30 metres from the pathway park around the outer edge of the pier.
Status – In April the city issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), which asked developers – or consortiums of developers – to apply to be among a shortlist to take on the project. Next month, the short list will be announced. Then the city will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in which the shortlisted developers will have the chance to flesh out how they would manage building out the pier. One would be selected by the spring of 2018 and that developer would go through negotiations with the city over a purchase price for the land and various commitments. Construction would probably not start till 2020, says Phillips, because of approvals that will be required. For further information about Hamilton’s waterfront redevelopment: bit.ly/2hjJXzl