City staff and the majority of Sarnia council are excited about a consulting firm's ideas for an updated waterfront master plan.
General Manager of Community Services Stacey Forfar said 28 proponents registered to bid for the job and six provided submissions.
"We were delighted to see such a great response to it and we have an excellent proposal to consider, that involved real destination planning and destination creation, which will help drive economic investment," Forfar told city council before it accepted a $200,000 proposal from Re: public Urbanism Monday.
Councillor Mike Stark was impressed by the company's work on the Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
"I did some consulting work for the marina, which involved looking at the Nautical Mile, and they have done a tremendous work effort towards bringing the Nautical Mile to becoming one of the most famous boating areas in the United States," said Stark. "If we can get a company like this involved with our waterfront, we should do it."
The Nautical Mile is promoted as offering attractions, entertainment, dining, shopping, sports, recreation and special events throughout the year.
But, councillor Terry Burrell, the only member to vote against the proposal, wasn't sold on the idea.
"It certainly has been my observation over many, many years, that people of Sarnia want the waterfront to be a people place where they have access to the waterfront," Burrell said. "When I start seeing these things, like economic drivers and all this kind of stuff, I mean we need some help, but I certainly don't think people want this to be a big area for commercial development."
Details of the proposal have yet to be shared publicly.