Thunder Bay councillors fret over waterfront spending

City councillors have approved another $615,000 to finish phase one of Thunder Bays waterfront development, but some were unhappy to do so.

About half of the money will rebuild fish habitat lost when the city in-filled part of Lake Superior, to build Prince Arthur's Landing, as part of an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Coun. Rebecca Johnson said she knows the city has to complete the project, but said she sees the expenditure as yet another cost to the $60-million development.

"I'm kind of disappointed that we have to have this back in front of us again," she said.

"I'm looking now as to how many [times] is it going to come again."

Coun. Paul Pugh said he's heard from many people who are concerned about the rising costs associated with developing the citys waterfront.

He said the city should ensure the public knows when a development is and is not complete.

"We need to improve the way we communicate these things," Pugh said.

"The fact that there were other bills to come, I think that's understandable if one looks at the whole history."

The federal and provincial governments have chipped in $36.5 million for project.