Consultant proposes getting rid of St. Marys River Drive

One of Sault Ste. Marie's favourite spots for watching the popular St. Marys River submarine races may be changed forever if city council approves a massive waterfront reconfiguration.

A map displayed at this week's city council meeting, considered an early design concept for a new waterfront, showed St. Marys River Drive completely removed between Station Mall and the river.

In its place was a promenade with rows of mature trees on either side, creating what city planners are calling an 'allée' by sheltering pedestrians from wind and sun while providing full exposure to the river.

Also shown are a string of small new retail buildings in the mall parking lot facing the water (see photo gallery above.)

The new walkway is part of a key feature of the proposed waterfront revitalization: a continuous promenade running from the Canal District to the former hospital property.

A written report prepared for Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and councillors describes "a new 'living room' for the city, overlooking St. Marys River, the rapids, sea planes and freighters, and beyond to Michigan."

Travis Anderson, the city's director of tourism and community development, said the talks are underway with private property owners including the Station Mall owners to clear the way for changes on St. Marys River Drive.

"The big concept there... is looking at potentially relocating or realigning the St. Marys River Drive where we would close the existing St. Marys River Drive and move it closer," Anderson said.

"Also, more retail activation in that area," he added.

"These are the areas where you could have restaurants, food and beverage – could be pop-up," landscape architect Nick Onody from O2 Planning and Design told a recent city committee meeting.

"There's many different ways and we've been talking with the Station Mall about it," Onody said.

"They're very receptive of the idea. There still will be access through the mall parking lot. It will just happen very tight to the mall."

Onody said the plan is to maintain the current entrance and exit at Delta hotel, but the rest of St. Marys River Drive will be closed and converted to pedestrian use.

A final draft of the waterfront plan, complete with rough cost estimates, is to be ready by the end of this month.