Waterfront Plan: East Pier Revitalization Concept Development Review

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

About the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan
Cobourg’s waterfront is a defining part of the town. Previously an industrial port, community and political will has transformed the waterfront into an important community destination focused on recreation, cultural, tourism and the environment. However, this transformation is ongoing. While the industrial past is well hidden, there is still work to be done to address the needs of the community now and in the future.

The Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan (Waterfront Plan), which was adopted by Council in 2018, provides the community with a roadmap for creating a beautiful, accessible and sustainable waterfront. The Plan recommends 83 initiatives in 24 projects to enhance Cobourg’s waterfront over a 24-year period. Each project requires Council’s approval, and the repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration.

Project #1: Waterfront Plan - East Pier Repair and Enhancement
The East Pier is a popular, year-round destination for residents and tourists. Situated on the east side of the harbour, the main trunk of the pier is 400 metres long and 30 metres wide at its widest point. It is largely unobstructed and features a toe rail along the edge and several seating nodes. The coast guard building and dock are at the north end. At the south end, the pier ends and connects to the breakwater which leads to the lighthouse. However, the pier is showing its age. Having been modified and expanded since 1832, the pier now has structural issues and requires ongoing maintenance and repair to fix sinkholes.

In 2018, the East Pier was closed to vehicular traffic due to health and safety concerns following a period of high water levels (Award of East Pier Condition Assessment and Reallocation of Funds). In 2018, Shoreplan conducted an engineering assessment of the pier and provided four options for addressing its structural integrity. Once the East Pier is structurally repaired, enhancements will be made to improve its functionality (nine enhancements are recommended by the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan).

The repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration. To confirm the directions for Improvements to the East Pier and the Adjacent Campground, the Town conducted additional public engagement in the summer of 2019. The results of the 2019 engagement, and other related studies, are available here.

In October 2019, the Committee of the Whole approved the outcome of the User Needs Assessment and the following public engagement.

  • To move the East Pier project into the next stage of development, the Town has engaged:
  • Shoreplan Engineering to assess the condition of the Harbour Breakwaters and Basin Walls;
  • Branch Architecture to review the cultural heritage aspects of the East Pier and lighthouse; and
  • The MBTW Group consulting team to proceed with the Detailed Design of the East Pier.

Where We Are Now - Detailed Design of the East Pier

The MBTW Team has been working with Town of Cobourg staff to evolve the East Pier conceptual design that was prepared for the User Needs Assessment.

  • We are reviewing new information generated by the on-going studies and identifying new opportunities for the site design.
  • We are updating the base plans to include the Coast Guard’s current site redevelopment plan.
  • We are developing the East Pier Detailed Design and need community input in refining the site components, programming and materials palette.

The public engagement objective for the Detailed Design of the East Pier is to:

  • Review and identify the possible design concepts for the East Pier
  • Provide commentary on the possible design concepts proposed for the East Pier

We're looking for your feedback:
To share your thoughts on the Detailed Design of the East Pier please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities below, including:

1. Watch the Virtual Presentation
2. Complete the Survey
3. Participate in the Forum (did we miss anything?)

About the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan
Cobourg’s waterfront is a defining part of the town. Previously an industrial port, community and political will has transformed the waterfront into an important community destination focused on recreation, cultural, tourism and the environment. However, this transformation is ongoing. While the industrial past is well hidden, there is still work to be done to address the needs of the community now and in the future.

The Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan (Waterfront Plan), which was adopted by Council in 2018, provides the community with a roadmap for creating a beautiful, accessible and sustainable waterfront. The Plan recommends 83 initiatives in 24 projects to enhance Cobourg’s waterfront over a 24-year period. Each project requires Council’s approval, and the repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration.

Project #1: Waterfront Plan - East Pier Repair and Enhancement
The East Pier is a popular, year-round destination for residents and tourists. Situated on the east side of the harbour, the main trunk of the pier is 400 metres long and 30 metres wide at its widest point. It is largely unobstructed and features a toe rail along the edge and several seating nodes. The coast guard building and dock are at the north end. At the south end, the pier ends and connects to the breakwater which leads to the lighthouse. However, the pier is showing its age. Having been modified and expanded since 1832, the pier now has structural issues and requires ongoing maintenance and repair to fix sinkholes.

In 2018, the East Pier was closed to vehicular traffic due to health and safety concerns following a period of high water levels (Award of East Pier Condition Assessment and Reallocation of Funds). In 2018, Shoreplan conducted an engineering assessment of the pier and provided four options for addressing its structural integrity. Once the East Pier is structurally repaired, enhancements will be made to improve its functionality (nine enhancements are recommended by the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan).

The repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration. To confirm the directions for Improvements to the East Pier and the Adjacent Campground, the Town conducted additional public engagement in the summer of 2019. The results of the 2019 engagement, and other related studies, are available here.

In October 2019, the Committee of the Whole approved the outcome of the User Needs Assessment and the following public engagement.

  • To move the East Pier project into the next stage of development, the Town has engaged:
  • Shoreplan Engineering to assess the condition of the Harbour Breakwaters and Basin Walls;
  • Branch Architecture to review the cultural heritage aspects of the East Pier and lighthouse; and
  • The MBTW Group consulting team to proceed with the Detailed Design of the East Pier.

Where We Are Now - Detailed Design of the East Pier

The MBTW Team has been working with Town of Cobourg staff to evolve the East Pier conceptual design that was prepared for the User Needs Assessment.

  • We are reviewing new information generated by the on-going studies and identifying new opportunities for the site design.
  • We are updating the base plans to include the Coast Guard’s current site redevelopment plan.
  • We are developing the East Pier Detailed Design and need community input in refining the site components, programming and materials palette.

The public engagement objective for the Detailed Design of the East Pier is to:

  • Review and identify the possible design concepts for the East Pier
  • Provide commentary on the possible design concepts proposed for the East Pier

We're looking for your feedback:
To share your thoughts on the Detailed Design of the East Pier please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities below, including:

1. Watch the Virtual Presentation
2. Complete the Survey
3. Participate in the Forum (did we miss anything?)

Discussions: All (1) Open (1)
Page published: 04 Sep 2020, 09:54 AM