The pier in Burlington’s downtown waterfront has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. The question everyone is asking: what’s going on? We’ve been led to believe the contractor, Harm Schilthuis, is to blame. This is a local company with 57 years in business, which has successfully completed many other projects in Burlington, including the Discovery Centre and Aldershot Arena. Why would they stop work on a job if they didn’t have a reason?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve used my journalism background to investigate. There’s more to this story than we’ve been told. Furthermore, there’s an option on the table from the contractor to finish the pier – as early as this fall if work begins immediately. We know the longer this project is delayed, the more it will cost, and we’ll spend money on litigation, not finishing the pier.
We need Burlington City Council to make a decision quickly – and tell taxpayers how much this is really going to cost. You can help by sending an email to mariannemeedward@bell.net to add your name to the list of residents asking for transparency on the options available to finish the pier, and the final price.
Details of my investigation are here, including interviews, research of public documents and material obtained under Freedom of Information. You can also leave a comment at the end of the post.
Do you want more development in Spencer Smith Park on Burlington’s downtown waterfront? City councillors voted 4-3 this week to put the old Freeman Train Station in the park. It will go near the foot of Brant and Lakeshore, at street level with lower level washrooms walking out to the park.
Now councillors want your feedback before the issue comes to a final vote at city council March 22, 7 pm, at City Hall.
Speak up for greenspace
I’ll personally be delegating to council against adding more development in Spencer Smith. If you’d like to add your support to my delegation please email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net (Your contact information will be kept confidential and you don’t need to attend or speak at the meeting).
Better alternatives
If we need washrooms in Spencer Smith, there are better locations than a prominent building on our main street. If we are going to preserve Freeman Station, there are more appropriate locations, including Ireland House Museum on Guelph Line, which is one of the options under consideration.
The museum already has an active educational and historical program for visitors and could incorporate the historic train station – maybe even display items related to Burlington’s rail history. This is a more relevant use for a heritage building than turning it into modern washrooms, and my delegation will ask councillors to support that option.
Residents speak
So what do you think? Email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net, or post a comment by clicking here.
