Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation
Bedford Waterfront (Infill) Project
Background
The Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation was incorporated in 1983 with a mandate to oversee the creation and long-term mixed use development of accessible waterfront lands along the Bedford shoreline. Along with the development of this unique waterfront resource, one of the original objectives was also to determine the feasibility of combining the removal of silt from the mouth of the Sackville River, with the infilling of new waterfront land.
The Mill Cove area was found to be the most suitable landfill site, due to its shallow depth, its excellent suitability for a marina and the availability of land for development. It was estimated that 40 acres of new land could be created by infilling. This infilled area, together with the existing natural waterfront land, would provide over 60 acres for new waterfront development.
The Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation Limited was amalgamated with the Waterfront Development Corporation Limited in 2000. At the time, Phase One was largely developed, and had incurred a deficit of approximately $16 million for infrastructure costs, written off by the Province prior to 2000. Based on costs, it was decided the continuation of infill operations was not economically feasible.
Waterfront Development Corporation Limited – Mission and Goals
The Waterfront Development Corporation Limited is a provincial Crown Corporation, with a mission to oversee the long-term development, and mixed use re-development and revitalization of the waterfronts in Bedford, Dartmouth and Halifax.
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- Provide infrastructure, opportunity and support for public and private investment in designated waterfronts around the Halifax Harbour.
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- Enhance these waterfront areas as places to live, do business, invest and visit.
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- Create opportunities for continued economic growth through increased leisure traffic, meeting and convention activity, festivals and events, and additional residential, institutional and commercial development.
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The Waterfront Development Corporation remains committed to managing the ongoing creation and servicing of this important resource, and in ensuring the economic viability and sustainability of future development on these lands. The WDCL's website is www.wdcl.ca
Pyretic Slate Disposal
At this time, the issue of identifying a safe disposal site for pyretic slate arose. Pyretic slate is naturally occurring within the Halifax geological formation, and is acid bearing when exposed to both water and air. Environmental studies were completed prior to 2000 and demonstrated that using pyretic slate as ocean fill was environmentally sound. Phase Two was identified as being both a practical and safe site to submerge and place this slate.
Boundary of Infill Site
The infill site extends along the Bedford waterfront from Boutiliers Boatyard at the end of Shore Drive, south to the original Bedford Town Boundary behind Clearwater Seafoods Ltd. The boundaries of the waterlots were determined by the Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation, based on the 1985 Bedford Waterfront Plan developed by Sperry and Associates. These waterlots were acquired from the Halifax Port Authority.
Phases One and Two
Phase One of the Bedford Waterfront lands is approximately 25 acres, and includes the existing residential development off Waterfront Drive, DeWolfe Park, and land occupied by the Economical Mutual Insurance building. Phase Two is 38 acres, and includes the marina, the existing infilled area not yet developed (22 acres), and a further 16 acres that is proposed to be infilled.
Since assuming responsibility for the Bedford waterfront project in 2000, the Waterfront Development Corporation has conducted preliminary development analysis for the Phase Two lands, established a community focus group, completed construction of the South Jetty and extension of the harbourwalk system, managed construction of the children’s playground and DeWolfe Park (in conjunction with HRM and Halifax Port Authority) and initiated construction of additional public marina infrastructure.
Future Development
The development of Phase Two lands will be a vibrant mixed-use community that will include a range of additional public amenities such as the extension of the perimeter boardwalk system, public open spaces and a mixture of residential, commercial and institutional uses.
It is the responsibility of the Waterfront Development Corporation to coordinate and manage both the conceptual and detailed design for land uses on these waterfront properties. Input into the nature and mix of these uses will be generated by public consultation, policies of the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy, the results of a community needs assessment and market conditions.
The corporation welcomes the dialogue the community visioning process will generate regarding potential development within the overall waterfront planning area and adjacent lands.
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