Getting to the waterfront at Northside Piers

At a friend's BBQ last Saturday night, I watched families move into the affordable units at the Northside Piers development (between North 4th and North 5th streets on the waterfront). And folks are moving into the first tower which is reaching completion.

As a result of these recent developments, some are correctly wondering when we'll be able to get to the public esplanade. As I recall DCP saying during the rezoning, the following have to be true before any market-rate building gets its final certificate of occupancy:

• The required on and off-site affordable housing must be built and occupied.
• The full esplanade must be built with two entrance/exits (based on the mistake at Schaefer Landing of only allowing one)
• The "upland connections" (the privately-owned driveway on North 4th Street) must be publicly accessible.

It would be a shame if it took much longer before the public space is open. It would be an even bigger shame if One Northside Piers got its final C of O before these requirements were fulfilled.

The experience with this building is a lesson we must take to heart as the Domino Sugar development goes through the review process. If there are problems with allowing public access as the site is being constructed, even though it is legally allowed, there must be some way to make it up to the community.

h/t: I'm Not Saying

Photo: ZackVS (flickr)