July 7th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a good idea at the time and was one of the few achievements of the now defunct Waterfront Advisory Committee that had been formed by then Mayor Cam Jackson in 2010.
Today the building has a broken window at the front and is boarded up on one side.
The Pump House, a building that went through a major, and expensive upgrade, was available for rental.
Many hoped it would be used as an upscale coffee shop but the best the city was able to do was find someone who wanted to use the space as a rental facility for small watercraft and beach umbrellas.
A Beachway resident who walks the waterfront most mornings notes that the building stands empty, looking a little derelict and forlorn between a busy children’s park and the Snack Shack pavilion.
Much of the beach has been eroded by high lake water levels – thus no traffic – there isn’t much beach for people to use.
The business that was in the Pump House has called it quits and moved their operations to Binbrook.
People want to know what will become of a building that used to have a perfectly dry basement and was once actually a residence that was yards away from a rail line.
The city and the Region are currently working on extensive and expensive plans to remake the whole of the Beachway community – coping with Mother Nature apparently wasn’t work into the scope of the work that would be undertaken.
Not a word, so far, from the ward Councillor who once said the Pump House could perhaps become his constituency office.
Mike, I am confused…can you kindly explain your interpretation of “Willing seller/willing buyer” and how you feel it is the same as expropriation. Surley, the readers here are also wanting clarity in detail from you…not just opinion. I remain concerned by the optics that you point out that Craven would not be safe if he made the old pump house his office. Very serious allegations!!
Penny,
Agree
Mike,
You are incorrect. No expropriation…it’s all in black and white.
Are you trying to say that Councillor Craven isn’t safe? Very serious comments by you.
Oh I’m definitely not advocating anything, whomever you are, and it was entirely ‘tongue in cheek’ whomever you may be. “Willing seller/willing buyer” is just expropriation by another, ridiculous name – kinda like “Astheworldturns”.
Point is he’s not liked down there and for very good reason.
Once again a decision made to spend money on a property in an area where no business could ever survive. One has to wonder how council and staff felt that that this was a good idea.
The taxpayers money being spent to upgrade the Joseph Brant Museum is the next in a long line of ill thought through decisions.
The Burlington beach rentals website seems to indicate they plan to be back if/when the water levels go down and the beach returns. Can’t really blame them for relocating given the lack of beach! That said, my last walk down there it looks like most of the sand has been washed away so there might not be much of a beach left even if the water recedes.
Given his treatment of the BeachWay residents and his support for the Region expropriating their homes, Mr. Craven had best install bunkers, tank traps and 7/24 security if he plans to relocate his constituency office to the Pump House. I’d love to see it.