Pop-up shops? Water taxis? See what our revamped riverfront might look like

For months now, the city has been working with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie and Destination Northern Ontario on an ambitious plan to transform our waterfront into a “world-class” place to be.

The idea was first announced in December, when local residents were invited to provide ideas on how to reinvigorate the riverfront between the Bondar Marina and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

That input — from more than 900 people, both in-person and online — was used to create a detailed document aimed at inspiring potential design options.

Those designs are now complete, and the city is anxious to hear what you think. 

Found in this online survey, potential options range from the modest (wider pathways, dedicated bike lanes, swimming areas) to six “big ideas,” including a large destination play space and “cantilevered outlooks.”

Residents have until May 24 to fill out the survey. A public open house is also scheduled for May 1 at the Civic Centre, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A final plan is expected to be released to the public this summer. As of now, no price tags have been attached to any of the options.

“This Waterfront Design Planning process guides the future of how these lands will look taking direction from community input,” said Travis Anderson, the city's director of tourism and community development, in a news release. “Looking at existing infrastructure along the waterfront, this initiative presents an opportunity to develop a plan that will support opportunities for tourism, community and economic development, and placemaking, and has the potential to transform our existing waterfront into a world-class feature."