Councillor Mark King’s motion to establish an ad hoc committee, known as the North Bay Downtown Waterfront Advisory Committee, that will oversee the Downtown Water Front Master Plan and King’s Landing passed at city council last night. The committee will be made up of Mayor Al McDonald as chair, two members of council and up to four citizen appointees. CAO Keith Robicheau, Director of Community Services John Severino and Director of Engineering, Environmental Services and Public Works David Euler will be staff representatives on the committee as well.
The mandate of the committee is to review the waterfront master plan, examine the implementation plan and cost estimates. Two weeks ago at city council, King said he was worried about the costs associated with the plan, and King’s Landings and says this committee is the result of those concerns. King says there’s no question in his mind that this committee will find savings. He says he was concerned about spending $700,000 on studies that he believes could sit on a shelf. King says there will be people on the committee that won’t support the current recommendation for King’s Landing. That recommendation based on a recent environmental assessment is converting the wharf into a naturalized breakwater and constructing a new pier for the Chief Commanda II. King added his intention through the committee process is to instruct staff to come back to council with an option to repair the wharf instead.
As far as the waterfront master plan is concerned, King says a lot of planning process is very long term. He says the splash pad idea at the waterfront is one that may be further along because the Rotary Club has indicated they want involvement in that project. One of the ideas King believes is going to be a non-starter is making Oak Street a two-way street. King finished by saying there is a lot of work to do, but its interesting work. He says that’s because the original deal for the rail lands, another part of the downtown plan, was signed in his father’s rec room.
