The first project from Sarnia's Waterfront Master Plan got underway this week.
Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozing was awarded the $600,000 contract for shore protection improvements at the Ferry Dock Hill landing in August.
Engineering and Operations General Manager David Jackson said the area's redevelopment has been split into two phases.
"This first phase is cleaning up some of the foundation from the old building that was removed years ago and installing armour stone shoreline protection along there and then just backfilling that area," said Jackson. "The contractor has mobilized on site now and is expected to be completed by late January."
Jackson said the second phase will be a much larger project.
"Really enhancing that whole area, making it a gateway between downtown and the waterfront," he said. "There's no budget approved for that yet, so that is not advancing in 2025. It will be a project council will consider in future budget years."
The north and south parking lots will be closed for the duration of the project.
"There was both free parking and some permit holder parking down there. So, that's closed. We've added some signage to advise people of alternative parking arrangements they can utilize throughout the downtown," Jackson said.
The redevelopment plan includes a new washroom and mechanical building, fishing and viewing platforms, a plaza for buskers and pedestrian gatherings with a water feature, an event plaza, new seating and a tree lined boulevard.
The former law office at Ferry Dock Hill was demolished in May 2020.
The building, dating back to 1910, had structural concerns as a result of high water levels.
