Oshawa City Council has given the green light to move forward on a number of agreements the city signed with Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) earlier this year.
The agreements will result in the following key initiatives:
- Land Exchange – an exchange of certain lands between the City and HOPA to accommodate a new Oshawa Waterfront Trail link and a new driveway entrance to HOPA’s east wharf lands in support of HOPA’s $30 million Port of Oshawa Export Expansion Plan.
- Communication and Cooperation Strategy – the advancement of a joint communication and cooperation strategy that will continue to enhance the working relationship between the city, HOPA and public stakeholders.
- Pier – the city will secure long-term public access to the pier and beach for passive recreational purposes.
- Simcoe Street South – improvements to the streetscape along Simcoe Street South that will reduce heavy truck traffic near the Lakeview Park beach area, increase port security and provide enhanced screening of the industrial port operations from the city’s vibrant waterfront parks and open spaces.
“On behalf of city council and the Oshawa community, we are excited to enter this next chapter with HOPA. The land exchange, streetscape improvements along Simcoe Street South and long-term public access to the pier and beach will help balance recreational and commercial uses along Oshawa’s lakeshore and is the next big step in developing our shared vision of an active and vibrant waterfront for our community,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.
Improvements to harbour lands
The city continues to develop and improve the city’s harbour lands for public use in support of an active, vibrant waterfront.
The Larry Ladd Harbour Trail on the city’s lands east of Simcoe Street South and south of Harbour Road comprises a pedestrian bridge and walkway and is an important link to the Waterfront Trail, Second Marsh, Oshawa Museum and Lakeview Park.
Additionally, the city’s development of the Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park located at the southeast corner of Simcoe Street South and Harbour Road, named in recognition of political icon Ed Broadbent, is well underway. The completed project will feature an expansive Garden of Human Rights, a network of concrete and asphalt pathways, as well as a stage with amphitheater seating.
“We’re proud to work in collaboration with the City of Oshawa. HOPA’s $30 million investment in the port is a testament to our commitment to the city and the region. This agreement builds on our mission to create prosperity by facilitating commerce while providing sustainable solutions that benefit our communities,” said Ian Hamilton, HOPA President and Chief Executive Officer.
For more information, visit www.oshawa.ca/harbour.