The City anticipates the new link from Front St. to Port Dr. will open shortly and help transform the area to include public amenities. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Downtown revitalization

New road represents early catalyst in overhaul of south downtown Nanaimo waterfront

Jul 10, 2019 | 5:11 AM

NANAIMO — The City believes a roadway extension will lay the foundation to help transform the unsightly south downtown waterfront area.

Crews are wrapping up the extension of Front St., which now meets Port Dr. at the south edge of a 24-acre property across from the Port Place Shopping Centre purchased by the City in 2013.

The City’s director of community development Dale Lindsay told NanaimoNewsNOW the new link will open in the coming weeks.

“It addresses a longer term need which is to improve access to the south downtown waterfront lands and the Port Authority property,” Lindsay said.

“Obviously there’s a lot of activity happening at the Port Authority and everything that’s going in and out of the property has to go through the trestle.”

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Lindsay said a near-term vision for the City is to enhance access to the substantial downtown property.

Last year council approved the 25-year Port Dr. Waterfront Master Plan to add mixed use development, public spaces, enhanced public transportation and pedestrian amenities.

Adding a Front St. roundabout at the southeast corner of Port Place Shopping Centre and replacing the deteriorating trestle off Esplanade St. to ensure secondary access are included in the plan.

Lindsay expected council will be approached later this year to discuss ways to develop the Port Dr. waterfront area beyond its industrialized roots.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes