Turn Thames now into Thames wow
The ink is barely dry on a 10 year plan for London’s river, but Mayor Joe Fontana is already pushing for an even grander vision.
“There’s no doubt in my mind the (Thames River) represents who we are and what we can be,” Fontana said. “I don’t know why this is the only city that wants to hide its river. To showcase it, and make it open and accessible to the public in a way that’s never been done before . . . I think would be part of that whole revitalization of not only our downtown, but the whole city.”
The Thames River corridor plan is long on details and recommendations, but doesn’t include the kind of vision Fontana thinks London needs to attract tourists, young and older workers and retirees.
“It’s got the makings of something but it’s not splashy enough, it’s not bold enough, it’s not different enough,” he said. “Would you say that’s a wow plan? No. And that’s what I want to do, create a wow plan .
Fontana was quick to support the work done on the plan, saying the worst thing for council to do is leave it on the shelf.
But he’s already meeting landscape architects and others to create a grander vision for the river’s urban areas.
“If you’ve got a vision, you’ve got a plan, if you think this is going to be a game changer, if you think this going to be exciting and bold and different, that is what we ought to look at. That is what this city needs. Imagine what we can create.”
One of the landscape architects invited to meet Fontana is Ron Koudys, co designer of the Walter J. Blackburn Memorial Fountain at the forks and longtime promoter of creating an urban flair at key spots on the river.
Koudys said he understands why city planners are taking a cautious approach with the plan.
“The city is trying to set the framework. Some of the more creative and exciting ideas they are holding back on that until the framework is in place.”
Council and the public first have to buy into the idea the riverfront in the urban core can change before a dozen ideas come flying at them, he said.
Koudys has worked with city planners and private developers for years on designs for the riverfront in the urban area and said he’s impressed the new mayor has invited him to meet.
“I’ve been beating on this drum for a long time,” he said with a laugh. “There are lots of things percolating along.”
The Thames Valley corridor plan can be viewed on the city’s website and at the city planning office at 206 Dundas St. and the London Room at the London Public Library’s central branch.
Once planners gather public comment, a final version will be presented at a public meeting in March before heading to council for approval in principle.
