Nelson’s Hall Street pier is on track to be completed before the new year despite financial challenges
The pier project is a part of the city’s 20-year sustainable waterfront and downtown master plan that was developed in 2011.
Originally the project was expected to be complete by the end of this month, but with the rising cost of inflation the city has struggled to move forward with the project and keep it within its $4.8 million budget.
The original cost was $2.6 million when it was proposed back in 2020. In 2021 the budget was raised to $3.5 million.
In 2022 the city was forced to consider postponing the installation of a canopy on the pier which potentially could have put the project $185,000 over the original budget.
In February, a majority of council voted to move forward with the canopy at a cost of $861,000.
Chris Johnson, the city’s community planning, climate and infrastructure manager, says they’ve managed to redesign the canopy at a lower cost, but the redesign did cause minor delays.
“The original design had costs that far exceeded the budget, and so we had to figure out ways to try and bring it within the budget. We had to look at how we could save some money by reducing the amount of materials required for the build.
“Steel is very expensive now, and there was quite a bit of steel in the original design. So we had to limit how much of that there was and go through the process of trying to better understand how we can reduce costs.”
He says the construction company contracted to build the canopy is finalizing the new design. Once the design is finished it will be constructed on site.
“We’re just waiting for the design to be completed and the steel components to be built. Once they’ve manufactured it at their shop, it’ll be delivered to site and then it’ll be put together and then the wood portions will be attached at that point. We anticipate that that will be complete this year.”
Other than the canopy, the historic Ladybird boat is also waiting for its air handling unit to be complete, and the gangways down to the swimming dock still need to be lifted into place.
Johnson says the city is excited to see the project’s completion and give the public more attractions to enjoy in the city.
“It’ll be a wonderful addition and great to attract people. The beautiful waterfront that we have here is honestly underutilized. Much of our tourist attraction is along Baker Street because it is so beautiful, but we have the whole waterfront to offer too.
“So, we’re excited to see how it gets used and to have that as a real landmark or anchor point as we go through that continued revitalization of our whole waterfront.”
Johnson says the city does not expect to go over budget.
