Price Tag For Huge Development in Hamilton Skyrockets

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Published September 19, 2019 at 2:21 pm

The West Harbour development project is already falling behind even before it gets off the ground.

The West Harbour development project is already falling behind even before it gets off the ground.

A report from the West Harbour Development Office (WDO) found that the project will cost approximately $11.5 million more than originally projected.

The Status of West Harbour Implementation report, dated Sept. 9, and presented to the project’s subcommittee last week, identifies the shortfall for Phase 1 of the construction on Piers 5 to 7.

This part of the project encompasses the shorewall rehabilitation and the construction of a new boardwalk and fish habitat.

This phase of the project is slated to begin this fall.

“City has requested that options be considered to address [the] shortfall, including design changes, the report reads. “It is unlikely that design changes alone will eliminate the shortfall.”

The report goes on to suggest a number of other options to reduce the Phase 1 budget shortfall. They include:

  • Design changes to lower the cost;
  • Increasing the capital budget;
  • Deferring other West Harbour projects to allow funding to be directed to Piers 5-7; or
  • Any combination of the three above.

The approved 2013-19 Capital Budget for the project is approximately $96 million for 32
Projects, the report states. A further $70 million will need to be approved for 2020-2024+ Capital Budge to finish the plan.

Photo is rendering of West Harbour after the redevelopment. Courtesy Waterfront Trust.

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