[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] - It's going to take 25 to 30 years and probably in excess of $100 million but the seed that will drastically change Charlottetown's waterfront is being planted.
Charlottetown residents will soon get a peek at what it might look like.
The Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) and Urban Strategies, a Toronto-based planning and urban design firm, has tentatively scheduled a public meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 23, where early findings for the Eastern Gateway Master Plan will be unveiled.
It will be the first update for residents since last September.
The Eastern Gateway plan is being compared to CADC's waterfront development plan from the 1970s, which took decades and tens of millions of dollars to implement.
The end result includes the Harbourside Apartments, Peakes Quay, Confederation Landing Park, Founders' Hall and the condominium development next to Queen Charlotte Armouries.
The 2011 version focuses on the area from Friendly Pharmacy to Exhibition Drive, north to Grafton Street (Joe Ghiz Park and the old landfill property), the south ends of Beach and Park streets, the provincial garage and Wendy's/Tim Hortons.
City council got a look at the plans Wednesday night.
Ron Waite, general manager of CADC, said it was well received.
"As always, there is still some tweaking to do,'' Waite said Thursday.
It's important to remember that all of this is based on a conceptual plan on what is possible to do. There is still some good-sized land pieces which are privately-owned, such as the Cavendish Farms'-owned Island Fertilizer. Some of those private companies have poured millions into their operations over the years.
One part of the plan is already in motion — converting the old Imperial Oil tank farm into an green area and outdoor concert spot. The vision is to bookend the city with green spaces, with Victoria Park in the west.
Waite said the park on the east end (Imperial Oil site) would be a much more interactive green space than Victoria Park.
"Think 21st century park. It would be interactive and engaging for the people. It would act as an excellent (Confederation) Trail head . . . and it would be very green in flavour.''
The plan also involves moving the provincial government garage. The province is said to be keen on the idea of moving the garage to a new and much bigger location.
"The province would suggest that location is not ideal, not large enough for their needs.''
The intention is to build a new arena in the spot currently occupied by the garage, one that would replace the Civic Centre. But it would be much more than just a home for hockey and skating. CADC and Urban Strategies see it as a multi-use sports and entertainment complex, one more than capable of hosting concerts and events the Civic Centre cannot because of its size and design.
Conceptual plans also call for further developing the Charlottetown Driving Park and exhibition grounds and potentially changes to Park Street to reduce the amount of traffic flowing through the residential area.
Waite said it is possible that they may close one end of Park Street to prevent throughway traffic, similar to how Beach Street is designed.
As for the cost, the money would have to come from all three levels of government while the list of projects would happen in stages over a number of years.
It's a long-term vision that will take time, money and a lot of careful planning.
