EDITOR’S NOTE: Steve Lindsey is a former U S Coast Guardsman who served on the Great Lakes in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
Open the waterfront to one and all—“Everyone’s waterfront”
To the Expositor:
The Norisle was towed from your waterfront freeing up the view. But the work isn’t done yet. The waterfront is still occupied by former industrial buildings that appear neglected, the rolling mill and a building previously occupied by a theatre.They sit on splendid parcel of land jutting out into the dappled waters. Why not also remove these maintenance-costly buildings, giving us public space for a wider variety of uses? This land would become “everybody’s.” The concept is to free up waterfront land in cities for recreational and environmental purposes. Free up waterfronts for everyone’s use. Freeing it up from the maritime industries that have come to dominate every community’s waterfront. Until now. With such industries in deep decline, we can reclaim. New York City has done this with a wonderful East River Waterfront Esplanade. Boston has done the same with the with the banks of the Charles River. Concert venues, jogging tracks, bicycle paths, splash pads, flower gardens, dog parks, public art and much more. Closer to home, Sault Ste Marie has done this after removing its museum ship Norgoma. Parts of another old vessel were even included in a wind chimes art installation. A nod to the old but giving way to a broader future. A future more inclusive. A waterfront open to all. Everyone’s waterfront.
Sincerely,
Steve Lindsey
Keene,
New Hampshire
