By Bobbie-Lynn Hall - The Weekly News
A public presentation of the Bedford Waterfront Design Study next week will give Bedford residents a glimpse into the future and according to those involved that future looks bright.
According to Doug Kolmer, Bedford resident and chair of the citizens-led Vision Implementation Committee, the leg work is finally done and what started out as a vision for the waterfront is becoming something more tangible.
"We're at the top of the tunnel," said Kolmer. "We've listened and the data has been collected. Now it's time to see what things might look like in 25 to 30 years"
In 2007, HRM and Waterfront Development Corporation, a provincial Crown corporation with a mandate to champion provincial interests for lands around Halifax Harbour and the Bedford Basin, engaged a consultant to prepare a design study for the Bedford waterfront. (The study area is the Bedford waterfront area between the Bedford Highway and the Bedford Basin from the Boutilier boat yard property on Shore Drive to the Clearwater Seafoods property on the Bedford Highway). A public participation program was approved by regional council. Four vision implementation committee members sit on a steering committee to guide the urban design study and participation program.
The steering committee also includes representatives of the three major property owners within the study area - Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd., United Gulf Ltd. and Sobeys Leased Properties Ltd. The area councillor serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
A Request for Proposals to lead the design study was issued on Oct. 25, 2008. A contract was awarded to a consulting team headed by Ekistics. Last year a design brief with three alternative design options was presented to the public. Based on the input received, the steering committee provided direction to the consultant regarding the preferred design solution.
At the June 16 meeting, Ekistics will present the final design followed by an opportunity for public questions and comments.
Meeting attendants will see visuals of residential and retail projects and learn how they would work together to fulfill the vision. Cafes, boutiques, residential buildings and more; the opportunities are endless, he said.
This meeting will be the last opportunity for residents to offer feedback.
"We want to hear from people of all ages one more time. The more eyes on it the better," he said. "After this meeting there will be some fine-tuning and then a recommendation will be made to council."
The presentation will take place on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at Basinview Drive Community School cafeteria. For people who aren't able to attend, the presentation will be available for viewing on www.halifax.ca. Any further feedback on the study can be provided up until Wednesday, July 7 via email at morganp@halifax.ca.
blhall@eastlink.ca
