Yesterday, Victoria City Council took a look at the 2017 Ship Point master plan, which seeks to transform the area into functional public space.
Ship Point currently provides people with a place to park in the downtown area, serves as a venue for events, festivals, and gives people access to businesses such as the Flying Otter restaurant and the Harbour Air Seaplane terminal.
City staff reported that the sea wall at Ship Point is requiring maintenance and replacement due to erosion.
The Ship Point master plan process was initiated in 2017, and began with gathering information about public space improvements and speaking with stakeholders like the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
The design presented highlights such as a restored shoreline with opportunities for ecological improvement, improvements to the harbour pathway, picnic site, and harbour air plaza, as well as a grand staircase to integrate the harbour pathway and Wharf Street.
The design from the previous council allows for vehicle access, but that would be within a pedestrian priority area. The process was paused in 2018, and returned before them for the first time yesterday.
Council ended up directing staff to report back with a revised design and costing analysis, along with more information about possible funding for the project.
Councillors also asked that a revised plan offer reduced parking, with more of an emphasis on pedestrian spaces, shoreline access, recreation and other amenities.
