Possibilities for pier are endless
Posted By Frances Clancy
Posted 2 months ago
Our Pier Buildings, as unremarkable from an architectural viewpoint as they are, are very much a part of Port Hope's history. To the workers who toiled there, to the early business people of Port Hope who made their fortunes here, they are not rubbish. There are many stories to be told and I, for one, would enjoy hearing them.
However, I do agree with the letter “Rationale for restoring pier buildings unconvincing”, Nov. 25 on a couple of points. The author is quite right that the buildings are redundant as factories. That's why we are encouraging adaptive reuse to functions that are viable in today's economy. The possibilities are endless.
The letter is also right that the buildings need a valid reason for remaining in existence. Not just heritage value, which the writer questions, but intelligently researched economic reasons. We agree: they must pay their way and hopefully add value to the tax base in Port Hope.
The problem, as we have pointed out before, is that no entrepreneurial body from the public or the private sector is going to commit to a site, let alone even consider a site, whose formal legal status is one of imminent demolition. Once demolition is taken off the table, I am certain business opportunities will be presented. Port Hope offers a wonderful lifestyle change to entrepreneurs wanting to get away from the stress of big city life.
The Pier Group has never asked council to carry these buildings as white elephants at the taxpayers’ expense. We have asked council to take demolition off the table during the clean-up period. If economically viable uses that do not require taxpayers’ money can be found, then save the buildings. If no such uses can be found, then council still has the right to take them down.
Let's keep in mind that rent-paying tenants and taxpaying citizens bring money into the municipality's coffers. Planting grass does not.
The current municipal plan is going to require maintenance and will be reflected in all our tax bills.
Frances Clancy
Pier Group Steering Committee
Port Hope
