City Council approved the first batch of recommendations from the Downtown Waterfront Advisory Committee earlier this week. The recommendations include directing staff to move forward with an environmental assessment of the Kings Landing marina area. That will give the committee better information and cost estimates for evaluating what options they have when it comes to rehabilitating King’s Landing or building a multi-use pier and wave break. Councillor Mark King says the committee has an initial map of what to tackle first, and that will include the environmental assessment at King’s Landing. He says after that, the committee will look at dealing with smaller issues first before tackling the bigger plans.
The second recommendation directs staff to meet with stakeholders and prepare a report about capital and operating cost estimates, and proposed location options for a proposed splash pad development. King says there isn’t any doubt among the committee members that a splash pad is a good idea at the waterfront area, but costs are important. He says the figures he’s heard are in the $1.7-million range, and added the city isn’t in for that amount. The Rotary Club has expressed an interest in working with the city, including to put in some funding. King says he looked at a splash pad built in Smith’s Falls that cost in the neighbourhood of $300,000/$400,000 and that’s something he’d be in favour of.
The final recommendation directs staff to meet with representatives of railway companies to determine their short, medium, and long-term uses and plans in the waterfront area. King says the committee is looking at ways to spur improvements and development in the city’s core. He says they’re also looking at extending the downtown development area so properties on the outside of the area are eligible to apply for grants and support. He says there was a lot of support for that around the table. King says it makes a lot of sense to extend the downtown area because people need to there’re opportunities out there.
