Under construction: a new Hamilton waterfront emerging
The new gantry crane towering over Pier 8 is proof construction on Hamilton's premier waterfront development continues apace despite pandemic restrictions.
That huge yellow skeleton is actually here to stay - an artistic homage to the industrial harbour that will form the framework of a stage and event space in the rapidly developing Copps' Pier promenade park.
It's actually tough to keep track of all the construction either planned or underway along the recreational west harbour between Macassa Bay and the Haida warship national historic site at Pier 9.
Here's what you may see happening this summer and beyond:
Copps' Pier
This 30-metre-wide, $6-million public promenade will line the north and east shore walls of Pier 8 and provide a green play space for both harbour visitors and eventual residents of the condos planned for the former industrial pier.
There will be green space, pavilions and playgrounds - some of which you can see taking shape now within a series of artistic metal ship hull" designs along the water. You can also see artist renderings on the project website - but you shouldn't have to wait long for the real thing.
The city is still on track to open the promenade by the end of the summer, said waterfront project lead Chris Phillips.
Waterfront Shores Pier 8 community
The streets and bus stops are already roughed in for a long-planned neighbourhood of 1,500 condos, apartments and townhouses on Pier 8 - but you'll be using the surrounding park long before you see any new homes built.
The city only recently finalized its agreement with development consortium Waterfront Shores, a process that was delayed in part by a long-running tribunal appeal by North End residents over the planned pier makeover.
The consortium hopes to launch presales and provide more project information this fall, said Joe Valela, a principal with consortium partner Tercot Communities. Visible condo construction is likely still a year or two away.
Discovery Centre
The city has pledged to start a public process this year to determine the long-term fate of the centre, which has been mostly empty since waterfront restaurant Sarcoa shut down amid an acrimonious dispute with the city.
But in the meantime, the city hopes to animate" the former restaurant's waterfront patio with temporary food or entertainment options this summer - if pandemic restrictions ease enough to do so. Stay tuned, said Phillips.
A Pier 8 tower?
The city agreed in 2019 to consider zoning changes to allow tall buildings on one block of its planned Pier 8 residential development to settle a legal appeal of the project by a citizen group. The maximum now on the pier is eight storeys.
Waterfront Shores architect and former North Ender Bruce Kuwabara has pitched the idea of a 45-storey signature tower" on the harbour, but council has yet to consider the idea - and we're likely months away from a vote.
The next step will see an updated urban guidelines" study come to councillors, likely within the coming three months.
For sale: waterfront property
The city put four small development blocks up for sale between Piers 5 and 7 last year in the hopes of attracting eventual new restaurants, retail or even a boutique hotel to its reimagined waterfront.
Phillips said the city has attracted interest and discussions are happening," but so far the available acreage - which includes the former police marine unit pier and an empty concrete dock near James Street - remains in city hands.
There is still work happening, however, because the city is regrading the sites after adding higher shore walls to protect against record Lake Ontario water levels.
More public pier access
The Hamilton Waterfront Trust is also chipping away at the city's overarching waterfront master plan, which calls for new boardwalks and bridge links between public pier areas this year.
Macassa Bay
The Hamilton police marine unit has moved into a temporary new home in Macassa Bay, replacing a former private marina and repair business on the eastern end. (The Macassa Bay yacht club remains to the west.) The city is also working on shoreline protection plans for the little bay, but work is not expected to start this year.
Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com