Vexed Bermoothes

I’ve been critical in the past of the Corporation of Hamilton’s plans for the waterfront – which seem to replace Hamilton rather than enhance it.  The plans so far seem like an internationalist fantasy of the planning consultants rather than something that organically grows from the city’s history, needs, and financial realities.

The project includes massive landfills of Hamilton Harbour in order to add a new  deep block in front of Front Street to add a new jetty for cruise ships, a waterfront theatre, open-air amphitheatre and park, retail space, a large condo development, a conference centre, an underground car park and restaurants.  We’ll see if they’ve held onto the risky idea of relocating the container docks to the North Shore.

The last version (PDF) was estimated to cost an eye popping $650 million.  We’ll hear the pitch this week for the new concept.  Even with Bermuda’s supersized budgets these days, it’ll be a hard pitch economically to justify.

The Corporation will hold public meetings this week at City Hall in Hamilton on:

• Monday March 9 at 6pm
• Tuesday March 10 at 1pm

As y’all are expected to pay for this beast, you should attend!

I call upon the Corporation of Hamilton to open its meetings to the public immediately.  It is wrong that developments of this size, cost, and importance are discussed in secret.