Waterfront Project Overview
The waterfront project is the first step in a 10 year initiative to create a connected and vibrant downtown and waterfront that is an exciting destination for Burlington residents and visitors.
The waterfront project has four areas of focus: the renewal of Burlington’s downtown waterfront park – Spencer Smith Park, construction of 414 Locust, which was completed in 2003 and the revitalization of the Burlington Art Centre, also completed in 2003. The fourth initiative is the acquisition of 15-20 acres on The Beachway.
These four initiatives create the foundation of an exciting downtown destination acting as a catalyst for economic growth for Burlington.
The Downtown Waterfront
This initiative realizes a significant renewal of Burlington’s downtown waterfront park, a 15.7-acre regional park. The park is uniquely located on Lake Ontario with direct connections to the downtown, the Burlington Art Centre, Joseph Brant Museum and to the Burlington Beach. The park is a source of pride for Burlington residents and is considered Burlington’s premier festival and event park.
An implementation plan to guide this work was developed through extensive collaboration between the city, residents, and waterfront partners, and was approved in December 2003.
The renewed downtown waterfront includes the Brant Street pier with day docking for tour and recreations boats, Discovery Landing, a new waterfront center and the Rotary Centennial Pond, a year-round water feature and expanded walking, biking and recreational trails.
Acquisition of MTO lands
The project will also consider the acquisition and feasibility assessment of approximately 20 acres of Ministry of Transportation lands opposite Beach Way Park for future development of a major tourist attraction.
The Burlington Art Centre
The renewed Art Centre is meeting the growing demand for arts programs and services including major exhibitions and national conferences.
As the work continues the synergies between the Art Centre, the waterfront and downtown will be strengthened creating a greater more connected experience.
414 Locust
This new multi-use building opened in the summer of 2003 and provides 7 stories of parking for 380 cars in the heart of downtown. It also includes retail and office space and is home to a new visitor information centre and special events centre. Team Burlington members - the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Burlington Business Association, Tourism Burlington and the Burlington Economic Development Corporation all call this new building home.