A massive redevelopment project to transform 800 acres of Hamilton’s waterfront into a world-class industrial park and community hub has taken a major step forward. Slate Asset Management, the firm behind the Steelport project, applied for a Draft Plan of Subdivision to the City of Hamilton on Tuesday (Feb. 20, 2024), revealing new details and renderings of its ambitious vision.
Steelport will connect rail, road, and water in the historic port of Hamilton, creating an estimated $3.8 billion in economic value and 23,000 jobs across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The project will also revitalize the lands and the waterfront, offering the public more than 90 acres of diverse landscapes, over 60 acres of integrated trails and public spaces, and access to new harbour areas that have been closed off for over a century.
Steven Dejonckheere, Senior Vice President at Slate, said the submission is an exciting milestone in Steelport’s development process. “This plan lays out an ambitious vision that will not only re-imagine the lands and contribute to Hamilton’s economy through job creation and increased industry but also promote connectivity among residents by adding communal public spaces and greenery and facilitating increased connection to the waterfront. We look forward to collaborating with our private sector partners and all levels of government to realize the full potential of this city-building project and make Steelport a place that all Hamiltonians can enjoy.”
The plan also outlines the proposed industrial and community hubs, such as the Pipe Gallery, the Battery, the Lagoonscape, and the Waterfront. The Pipe Gallery will retain some of the site’s most impressive and historic industrial infrastructure, designed to take on a ‘main street’ feel with future opportunities to create spaces for small-scale start-ups, creators, and entrepreneurs and retail amenities for visitors and workers alike. The Battery will be a hub for the City’s creative production industry and celebrations of cultural heritage that unite Hamiltonians. The Lagoonscape will be a regenerated biodiverse landscape that doubles as stormwater management infrastructure. The Waterfront will open up access to new areas of the historic harbour, previously inaccessible to the public for over a century.
The plan submission also initiates a more formal community consultation, inviting public members to share their feedback and ideas. This detailed look at Slate’s vision for Steelport is the first of many opportunities Hamiltonians will have to shape the project.
“We intend for Steelport to be a true reflection of the Hamilton community and an economic and cultural cornerstone of the Hamilton region for decades to come, which is why Hamiltonians’ input at every stage of this project will be integral to its success,” added Dejonckheere.
As part of its community engagement efforts, Slate has launched a new page on the Steelport website where individuals can provide feedback and sign up for updates, which is accessible now at thesteelport.com/engagement. Slate says it will share other community engagement opportunities as they approach.