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| Thunder Bay Marina Park Development | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 25 2008, 06:54 PM (246 Views) | |
| Bronzeback | Feb 25 2008, 06:54 PM Post #1 |
Smelt
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Let me just start by saying I am all for development and government funding but I am a bit uneasy about the development project at the marina for a few reasons. First, and perhaps most important is costs. The 22 million dollars the city has access to for the start up of this project is not surplus but a 15 year loan (i.e. we will be paying it back plus interest). Money that perhaps could be used to fix our ailing roads and maybe keep some of our outdoor pools open, or update our crumbling libraries... but I digress. Unfortunately, however, we have already payed out 2 million in consulting fees alone for this project to people from away who think they know what is best for us here in Thunder Bay. Another major problem, perhaps the biggest, is the problem of disposing of contaminated soils, which, if you read the proposal carefully, is an excluded cost and will fall squarely on the shoulders of Thunder Bay alone and not the private sector or the federal government. Pool 6 and area has had it's environmental assessment done (ESA) and was found to be contaminated. As well, the bay and waters proposed in phase 2 of the development plan to become a new marina, have also been found to be contaminated in an ESA report. What this means is in order for any development of either of these areas to occur the contaminated soil must be removed and the area must pass a further environmental assessment (ESA). This type of clean up is not cheap. Just a few acres can cost millions of dollars. This means, the cost of removing the contaminated soil and clean up alone could end up costing the city much much more than the entire projected budget as it now stands. As for the proposed development site for the condos and the hotel, no ESA has been forthcoming from the city even after repeated requests. Why? If an ESA has been done why not let the citizens see the paperwork? Needless to say one is left feeling a bit uneasy about this. The issues of contaminated soil is one of the reasons no development can be done in the area on and around Pool 6, which, as most would agree, drastically needs development of some sort. In a visual draft of the cities proposal the area on and around Pool 6 is depicted as park land. Not only is the building of park land not included in the present budget, but, as you now know, making it a park would mean spending millions to decontaminate the area first. Sure looks good on paper though (I sense a theme here, Victoriaville, Casino, Twin Arenas on 61) These are by no means the only pitfalls in the financial aspect of the development. There are many other maybes, what ifs, escalations, unfactored salaries, and so on and so forth, but I don't want to bore the reader needlessly. The information is there for those who are willing to put the effort into perusing it. These few topics are a good starting point. Need I go on. Second, The matter of selling park land to private enterprise is just, well, so damn American. Travel the shores of Lake Superior on the Canadian side and all you see is park land and wilderness, shared by the people for the people. Pull up to shore in your kayak practically anywhere on the Canadian side and take a stroll. Conversely, you'd be hard pressed to get out of your boat to take a leak on the American side without being hassled by private owners or security guards. I know one small bit of development seems like a drop in the bucket but I do think it is a slippery slope. Oops, I am out of time but I will add a few other reasons in my next missive... Again, I can't say it enough that I am all for development in Thunder Bay. We need some revitalization and we need it soon, but this does not mean we need to grasp at the first idea that comes along and hang on for dear life. Let's make use our collective minds and make good sound choices steeped in logic and foresight. Thunder Bay is a fantastic city. Let's lead by example. Part 2 next time, BB. |
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| renegade | Feb 25 2008, 09:20 PM Post #2 |
Administrator
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Great post. I believe morgan has sat in on some of the meetings surrounding this issue in Thunder Bay. Looking forward to your next......missive? lol. |
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| FishLeClair | Feb 25 2008, 09:29 PM Post #3 |
FishLeClair
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Im all for development....But Hotels and such on the Park is not my idea of a better Park |
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| crisop | Feb 27 2008, 08:21 PM Post #4 |
Administrator
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ya i'm not for the hotels or the darn skate park for the kids to trash |
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| Final | Mar 15 2008, 03:54 PM Post #5 |
Salvelinus namaycush
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I am not from TB but I must say "very well said". A great post and a good read. |
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