THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay is providing an update on the latest happenings at Marina Park. As per the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, work at Prince Arthur’s Landing, Phase 1 will be substantially completed by Oct. 31, 2011 in accordance with the contract dates.
Greg Alexander reports, “While substantial completion on the phase one public buildings will be completed under the ISF deadline, construction will continue past the Oct. 31 deadline throughout the next two years with respect to the public capital works being funded through other sources including the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and city sources. The private sector development will also continue”.
Substantially Completed by Oct. 31
· Water Garden Pavilion and associated landscaping
· Baggage Building Arts Centre and associated landscaping
· Splash Pad/Skating Rink
· Pond Pavilion
· Festival Storage Building
· Sewage Pump Station
· Pier 1
· Pier 2
· Pier 3
· Dock Retrofit
· Landscaping
· Marina Park Drive
· Pearl Street Entrance
· Spirit Garden
· Celebration Circle
· Viewing Circle
· Honouring Circle
· Living Shoreline
· Stone Steps between piers
· Signage throughout the park
· Architectural Fencing
· Site Furnishings
Continued Construction
· Market Square
· Market Building (Private Developers)
· Hotel (Private Developers)
· 2 Condominiums (Private Developers)
· CN Station Renovations (Private Developers)
· Beacons (Completed in mid-December 2011)
· Contract Deficiencies and Warranty Repairs
· Landscaping around Private Development
Public Art: The vision for Prince Arthur’s Landing included an important commitment to public art. The City has implemented its largest series of public art installations to date. A selection of key locations and installation sites were identified for commissioned artist works.
City Council approved the allocation of 2% of the original capital budget for the production of public art. The completed works include:
· Pier 2 Picnic Dock Lanterns
· Pier 3 Gateway Sculpture
· Red River Road Installation
· Children’s Garden
· Celebration Circle Panels
· Literary Selections (13 locations throughout the park)
· Artistic Lighting & Sound for the Beacons (Dec. 2011)
Prince Arthur’s Landing Funding Update: The total ISF funding of $29,300,000 has enabled the City to complete the first phase of the waterfront two years sooner than originally planned and park elements will be open for public use this coming winter. As the second largest ISF project in Ontario, Prince Arthur’s Landing has created construction employment (approximately 200 jobs annually) in Thunder Bay and it will create permanent employment (approximately 140 jobs) after construction.
The total Phase 1 project remains within the revised budget envelope approved by Council February 14, 2011.
In total, the City has received $36.5 million in matching funds for the development of Prince Arthur’s Landing. The City’s investment of $22.1 Million in the revised budget for Phase 1 has the following benefits:
· It leverages a total of $36.5 million from other levels of government and approximately $65 million from the private sector
· The City’s contribution represents approximately 18% of the total investment of over $122.6 million being made in the waterfront
· Over 200 construction jobs were created annually, visitor spending is estimated to increase by approximately $14 million per year, an additional estimated $10 million in annual total tax revenue will be created, and approximately 145 permanent jobs will be created
· Property tax revenue to the City is increased annually by approximately $1 million, plus lease revenues for the CN Station and Market buildings
Private Development: The Private Developers have finalized their selection of a preferred hotel partner and continue the process of developing the agreements relative to that partnership, which includes a hotel developer, a construction company, a hotel management company, and the financial investors. Over the course of late 2010 through to the present, they have been working out the details of those agreements. Once the details are all finalized, announcements will be made about the hotel partner and the timing for that development. A tentative date for the announcement is set for Nov. 2011 and the plan is to start construction in 2012.
Public Access: “We know citizens have been patiently waiting to see the new park, and City administration is organizing a Community Celebration to open Prince Arthur’s Landing to the public for the first time Dec. 16. The public will be able to enjoy the park over the winter. The theme is Ours to Celebrate: Introducing Prince Arthur’s Landing to the Community. Full details will be available in November.” shared Alexander.