The future of King’s Landing was up for discussion at City Hall last night and the party line is the project will be a “phased replacement by the council of the day.”
David Bonsall, a consultant from D.M. Wills Associates Limited took to the podium at a special committee meeting of council to outline the “preferred option” for King’s Landing.
A hybrid approach is recommended for the wharf, including a “phased replacement of the King’s Landing Wharf with a naturalized spit and expansion of the pier on the south side of the marina as recommended by the Schedule C, Class Environmental Assessment (EA).”
After spending approximately $750,000 in EA fees already, this special meeting was called, for the most part, to access an additional $50,000-$60,000 to complete it.
Again, the key term is “phased replacement.” Bonsall said the idea is for municipal officials to make these decisions down the road. In the meantime, King’s Landing (as it stands now) will be eased out of service, eventually becoming a “functional wave break,” for the marina with options for recreational uses years from now.
Bonsall touted the project as an opportunity for “synergy at the south pier.” If in 20 years, council completed all four phases of the project, the new southern pier would have a 50-year life span from that point.
Essentially, said Director of Infrastructure and Operations John Severino, this is the ultimate goal down the road. The future approval of the project will depend on the budget process, financial contributions from other levels of government, and the will of “the council of the day.”
The $16.6M preferred option cost did not sit well with Councillor Mike Anthony, who asked Severino about a rehabilitation-only phase costing $2.4 million. It turns out this level of investment is actually phase one of the four-phase “preferred option.” Anthony expressed his reluctance with the language with, “It says we are doing it.”
“To file the EA, you must identify a preferred option,” explained Severino.
Anthony responded he understood the idea is to have the project, “Shovel-ready…I’m more concerned with whether our wallet is ready.”
Committee Chair Chris Mayne acknowledged Anthony’s objections but declined to change the wording of the recommendation and the matter will go to council.
Mayne noted selecting the preferred option does not tie this or any future council to any project but helps to complete the environmental assessment with a general end-game in mind.
“This council of the day needs to pull the trigger,” offered Councillor Dave Mendicino. “Completing the EA keeps council’s options open.”
“It’s a phased approach and we can approach it in phases,” said Severino.
