London's idea to build up its waterfront to create a community hub for activity, dining and shopping has resulted in hundreds of design submissions from around the world.
The London Community Foundation sent out a request for qualifications when the project was first launched. Now, jurors will judge a short list of nineteen candidates. Those who make the cut will be asked to submit formal proposals next month with a final design chosen this winter.
On Monday afternoon, council's Planning and Environment Committee agreed to double the city's investment in the competition, to $200,000. The decision still needs full council approval.
The areas that are the main focus for phase one of the project include the Forks of the Thames downtown and an area in Soho. Finalists will win $40,000 and the create of the final concept for the Forks will get a $200,000 contract to bring the vision to life.
"We want to make sure that there's active areas so we can bike along the paths, but we also want some passive areas, some naturalized area to protect the wildlife and not impact the health of the river," says Teresa Hollingsworth with the Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority. "Some ideas are more opportunities to have some petite cafes or restaurants ."
There have also been a series of public consultations to ensure the jurors choose something the community will be happy with.
"It (the waterfront) builds community, it builds civic engagement and mobilizes the community around something that is important," says President and CEO of the London Community Foundation Martha Powell. "The Thames is a designated heritage river, so why aren't we celebrating that?"
*with files from Lisa Brandt