by Timothy Schafer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nelson Daily
The original consultants on the Hall Street Pier project have pulled out, but the project should gain some ground and be finished by the end of the year, says the city’s general manager of community planning, climate and infrastructure.
Chris Johnson said the city has sent out the finalized designs for the project — to have the canopy structure built for the pier — with the cladding to be attached to it early next year.
“Essentially, how the process has gone has resulted in what appears to be a time of no work down there,” he told city council recently during its Sept. 12 meeting.
He admitted the project had an issue with the original consultants on the design. City manager Kevin Cormack said the original team “walked away” from the project.
“One of those businesses had created the design, but not to a level that it was buildable, so when they walked away (the city) had to take a concept and actually construct this thing,” he said. “And that’s what has taken the time, to actually get into the detail of how this structure actually works and how all of these things tie together.”
All of that has compounded to result in the longer gap, said Johnson.
“But, ultimately, we are looking good and on schedule to have it done. The structure should be up and done by the end of the year and then the cladding starting in late December,” he said, noting that it would be complete within the next five months.
READ MORE: Pier pressure: Nelson council revisits pier canopy, agrees to fund it