[Dmajackson]

Waterfront land for sale . . .
. . .with a view of a rusty ship or two
By BEVERLEY WARE South Shore Bureau
Tue. Mar 24 - 6:27 AM

BRIDGEWATER — A chunk of waterfront property overlooking the LaHave River in Bridgewater has just gone up for sale.

The view might not be the best, but the owner says that will soon change.

"It will look different," said Rick Welsford, president of the Artificial Reef Society of Nova Scotia. "Someone who doesn’t mind the sight of a rusting ship or two for just the next little while and has a bit of vision would do well by that property."

The society owns the two riverfront lots on King Street that are up for sale. They are right beside a little park the town has just finished developing. The property overlooks the Port of Bridgewater, which the society also owns and operates.

That’s where passersby can see the rusting decommissioned navy destroyer Fraser and the retired navy ship Cormorant, which is under arrest. But the federal government has just taken ownership of the Fraser and will either fix it up or move it and the society has gone to court seeking permission to sell and move the Cormorant.

The other ships there are the schooner Larinda, which sank in Halifax Harbour during hurricane Juan and is being restored, the fishing dragger Newfie Challenger, which is undergoing repair work, and the side trawler Freedom, which is being converted to a pleasure boat.

Mr. Welsford had hoped to sell the land overlooking the port to the town. He went so far as to have the society’s lawyer contact the town’s lawyer with a price after the town expressed interest in the property.

Several real estate agencies valued the site on the west side of the LaHave River at $55,000 to $225,000. The society offered it to the Town of Bridgewater for $140,000, but the town said last June it is not interested, which prompted the society to list the property with an agent.

Mr. Welsford is miffed.

"In my heart, I think it’s appropriate for the town to buy (the property) and increase its waterfront holdings and parkland. I’m disappointed in them. They need to refocus back on the waterfront."

A number of town residents have criticized him because the Fraser has peeling paint.

"Personally, I’m tired of taking the hits when the town is the largest holder of waterfront property."

The society has listed the property for $180,000 through Holm Realty Ltd., describing the lot as serviced, with historic wharfs and year-round direct access to deep water.

A developer could apply to rezone the 20,266-square-foot property for condominiums or apartments, but Mr. Welsford said he would be thrilled to see it restored to its original role as a commercial site.

"It was a commercial shipping property," Mr. Welsford said. "Both sides of the (LaHave River) used to be chockablock full up to Shipyard Landing."

They are worn down and weathered, but the two old wharfs jutting out into the water are grandfathered. With the footprint in place, that means the federal government would almost assuredly approve plans to upgrade them, Mr. Welsford said.

"There’s nothing stopping a trawler owner from coming in and setting up his own commercial port facility," he said.