SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The city is aiming to move ahead with a revamp of Government Dock and Pilot's Monument this summer with the hope of breathing new life into Old Town.
Proposed design features
Government Dock
- Low level lighting
- Added tables, chairs and benches for public use
- Limited on-site parking
- Space for farmer's market
- Continued use as a working dock
Pilot's Monument
- Parking integrated with existing trees
- Gathering place or a memorial
- Ramp with interpretive outlook
- Potential cut off of Ingraham Drive in front of monument entrance
- Possible thoroughfare to government dock
Source: City of Yellowknife - |
Design concepts were revealed last month after public consultation workshops were held in February. Close to 200 people attended the workshops.
Potential additions include a farmer's market, tables, chairs and benches, and an information kiosk at Government Dock. At Pilot's Monument the plan calls for a new aviation memorial, playground and a wheelchair-accessible ramp leading to the monument. Both landmarks would potentially be connected via a trail.
Matthew Grogono, owner of Old Town Glassworks, said the city has come a long way since the 1980s, which he said was particularly confrontational period between the city and Old Town residents. The city tried to collect property taxes from Grogono and several other houseboaters, which led to a court battle that the city ultimately lost.
"I am happy to see they are doing what is humanly possible for bureaucracy to try to reconcile all the diverse interests and I don't know how to go about it otherwise," he said. "They've come a long way from taking people like me to court to test things in court."
Grogono said a lot of the ideas that make use of the public space at the Government Dock, plus a privately-owned building in the middle of the lot will help promote tourism and general activity.
"My feeling is the government wharf is a natural place for people to congregate and to look at," said Grogono."To really kick it off, it seems the buildings could be the really success of the thing. I know that Wayne Guy's building doesn't seem to have a lot going on there right now, but I think it could be extraordinary focal point to radiant from."
Some residents remained critical, however. Scott Mitchell said he doesn't think the city's plans reflect the ideas that people wanted for the dock space. Mitchell said he wasn't impressed that after it was suggested there should be no lighting put on the site, the plans now show there will be some low-level lights near the dock, which distract residents in the area. Parking proposals for the area also limit how private owners can access their properties, he said.
"I don't think they addressed all the concerns that were brought up. They had a plan to begin with and they stuck with it," said Mitchell.
"Some people also said leave (the dock) as a working dock, don't tie it up with tables and chairs, but have semi-permanent ones that could be moved away," said Mitchell. "But they have three quarters of the whole area covered in tables, benches and kiosks."
Jeff Humble, director of planning and economic development, said the plans will be presented to city council at the May 6 municipal services committee meeting. If approved, the city plans one more public session to get final input before construction begins this summer.
"What we came up with never significantly diverged from what was envisioned," said Humble, adding there has been consistent public engagement with a number of interest groups, from houseboaters to businesses and residents.
"Certainly we've made a lot of adjustments and have done it in such a way that we think we can reach a happy compromise between various interest groups. "
