Moments ago, Congressman Brian Higgins and Mayor Brown ceremoniously lifted the seasonal barrier to the Erie Basin Marina. Mayor Brown commented on the fact that people were asking him why this part of the waterfront is closed for the winter season. The answer? There really is not a good answer. So, today signaled Phase 1 in turning the Erie Basin Marina into a fully operational year 'round waterfront destination. Short term and long term plans are to rework the roadway and parkway design, plan for the addition of winter season concession stands, research public activities (like open skating in the Erie Basin Marina), allocate police patrols, incorporate plowing routes, re-open public restrooms, and talk to The Hatch about becoming a 12-month destination (same with Shanghai Reds about extending hours).
Labatt USA President Glen Walter (top photo: right of Mayor Brown) has already announced that Labatt intends to host a second 'Pond' Hockey Tournament (see 2008) at the site of the Erie Basin Marina next winter. In the meantime, the new open hours of at the Erie Basin Marina will allow cars, bikers and runners to legally utilize the grounds that lead out to Outlook Tower. That section of the waterfront has been closed to the public for half the year over the past 30 years.
Mayor Brown even stated that he was continuing to look into plans to create ‘Tower Beach'. He added that these projects would soon come to fruition with the support of both the public and private sectors. Higgins added that it is these low cost/high impact projects that will continue to shape our waterfront.
Top photo: Labatt hockey tournament champs (taken by Joe Cascio).
2nd photo: Brown and Higgins lift the barricade that has prevented people from enjoying winter along the lake.