City plans village waterfront.

Only a few years ago, any discussion of revitalizing Thunder Bay's waterfront development could spark a major argument at city hall.

Political in-fighting eventually scuttled the Portside mega-attraction and left many wondering what was the future of the former Saskatchewan Pool 6 grain elevator property.

Today, the city's waterfront is a source of optimism.

Mark Bentz, chairman of the newly formed Waterfront Development Committee, says a determined group of city councillors and citizens, armed with $7.5 million from this year's municipal budget, will make it happen.

"It's a very important project for the community and I give it the highest priority alongside economic development," says Bentz, also a first-term city councillor.

"(Portside) was big and shiny, but went nowhere," says Bentz. This time, the committee and their consultants are presenting to the public a home-grown proposal to expand and renovate nearby Marina Park with a mixed-use concept they think will appeal to alll

"We've certainly taken a much different approach this time and we're certainly not handing the property (over) to any developer."

What they have in mind is making the waterfront an even bigger drawing card by creating a gathering place for festival-goers, vendors and tourists.

Though still very much in the grassroots stage, tentative plans call for waterfront condos, restaurant and retail space, hotel with conference facilities, an arts centre, 50 more marina slips, docking for cruise ships and a more well-rounded and defined vision to create a village-type environment to 'work, live and play.'

The City's Highest and Best Use study says a multi-use venue makes the most sense for a sustainable and successful park. Much emphasis is being placed on the ability to attract private investment and not duplicate what already exists elsewhere in the community.

"There's going to be a number of features that are the defining element for this park," says Bentz. The concept will play heavily on Thunder Bay's transportation heritage, incorporating the historic CN station and Customs House, a new berth for a museum ship and space for the proposed Superior Adventure Tour Train.

Bentz says the city is close to acquiring the retired Great Lakes passenger steamer Keewatin, currently moored in Douglas, Mich.

His committee and their consultants will flesh out some of the concepts, with public input, to solidify the Waterfront Village concept to present to any interested developers by year's end.

Bentz has little doubt the project won't be successful.

"I don't think we'll have any issues attracting developers. They're building in much less desirable areas all over the city. If we offer waterfront opportunities, I'm certain they're going to be interested in exploring those."

Local opinion received so far varies from support for a massive waterfront attraction to a more conservative keep-it-green parkland concept. But Benz says creating more parkland produces nothing in the way of private investment, much less government funding.

"We would rather deliver a sustainable park and have it pay for itself. That's our goal."

In the late 1990s, Queen's Park offered $15 million to each Northern Ontario city to create a major destination tourist attraction. Sault Ste. Marie recently cashed in on its full amount with construction getting underway on the $55-million Gateway-Borealis project.

Bentz expects some government funding is available for this proposal once a developer is secured, but is unsure how much would be available.

Once municipal approvals are given, beginning this fall, Thunder Bay residents will start to see things taking shape. Some site clean up of the former grain elevator property has to be done, as well as improving access to the park, including a pedestrian crossing down Red River Road onto Pier 3. Smaller projects will roll forward this year with a winter skate park and dredging work at the marina.

Already some hotel chains and developers have contacted the city about what's going on.

Benz says there's been some talk about a new arena-convention centre near the waterfront, but that's a subject for discussion over the next decade.

"It's a multi-year project and it's important to communicate that to the citizens. It's a very large project that's going to evolve and come in phase by phase and be something they can be proud of."

www.thunderbay.ca

By IAN ROSS

Northern Ontario Business