Hamilton’s Waterfront Trust is going to have to defend itself before a committee of city council. The Waterfront Trust has been told to present audited financial statements back to 2012 and to make the case why it should be allowed to oversee the multi-million dollar waterfront development when the general issues committee meets this fall.
There have been a number of issues that have resulted in some members of Hamilton council losing faith in the Waterfront Trust.
The list includes:
- Revenue Canada pulling its charitable organization status.
- The ongoing dispute with Sarcoa Restaurant.
- Owing about $300,000 in back property taxes.
Ward 7 Coun. Donna Skelly is one of those wondering if the trust should be in charge of the multi-million dollar West Harbour redevelopment.
The $140-million project includes 1,600 residential units, 13,000 square metres of commercial and institutional space, 30-metre-wide waterfront park, a new “green street” that connects the property from east to west, a mix of building heights, a centralized garage, a water park, plaza space, skate park and playground. All are linked by a complete streets design.
LISTEN: Donna Skelly joins the Bill Kelly Show
Skelly says she would rather the city have direct control saying, “Hamilton needs to have absolute control over the waterfront. We may need to have answers immediately. This is a massive undertaking with millions and millions and millions of dollars at stake as well as the future of the city. I don’t think we should leave it to someone else.”
“There are too many unanswered questions and too much controversy surrounding the Waterfront Trust to simply rubber stamp the approval of the expansion of its authority and oversight and to allow it to take on what will be the largest development of the waterfront in the city’s history,” the councillor adds.
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