Sydney Waterfront Regeneration Transforms a Vacant Lot in the Downtown

In the words of Albert Marshall Senior, Elder of Eskasoni First Nations, “Public Space is like music; a universal language.”

The Sydney Waterfront District regeneration committee has been generously granted the permission to transform a vacant lot in the heart of the Sydney Waterfront District, thanks to local developer and philanthropist of the year, Marty Chernin.

Many hands, organization, and volunteers came together in the summer of 2018 to reimagine and reshape the graveled lot. The benches were purchased by Sydney Waterfront District Association, and the flowers etc, were paid for by a long list of merchants, the Provincial Beautification Program, and again SWDA. Much of the paint and supplies were donated by Mr Paint. There were also some anonymous contributions. Collaboration, partnerships, and planning made this our most successful season ever. We would like to thank the Highland Art’s Theatre, Lot owner Marty Chernin and Lloyd Baker, Slow Cooked Dreams, the YMCA and Local Businesses in the area who gave donations to pay for the red rock gravel —-Oak Hall, Spinner’s Menswear, London Jewellers, Geebo Device Repair, Coastal Vapour–

and all of the helpful hands from volunteers who put their good energy into their rakes and shovels. You can find a full list of those involved in the project below the photographs.

The lot is located between London Jewellers and the LHC building on charlotte street, and is a direct path to the H.A.T box office. It is our hope that more spaces will be transformed in our downtown to help it become a destination for all to enjoy and feel welcome.

a big thank you