Pool 6 Waterfront Master Plan

About This Project

This plan established a long-term vision for the revitalization of Thunder Bay’s waterfront through a balanced mix of development, public realm improvements, ecological restoration, and year-round destination uses, while strengthening public access and connectivity to Lake Superior.

During her tenure as a Principal at Brook McIlroy, Khatereh managed this project and led the framework planning and urban design for the Pool 6 Lands Waterfront Master Plan Update.

Key Challenges

• Reconnecting the city to its waterfront after decades of industrial use and fragmented access.
• Balancing redevelopment potential with ecological restoration and shoreline resilience.
• Addressing underutilized lands, seasonal inactivity, and a lack of year-round destination programming.
• Improving connectivity between downtown Thunder Bay, surrounding neighborhoods, and Lake Superior.
• Coordinating long-term infrastructure investment, mobility, and public realm improvements within a flexible implementation framework.
• Creating a vision that could attract investment while reflecting local identity, culture, and community aspirations. 
  

Our Approach

• Developed a long-term waterfront vision grounded in placemaking, ecological integration, and economic resilience.
• Explored multiple development scenarios balancing public realm, tourism, recreation, residential, and commercial opportunities.
• Prioritized public access, active transportation, and multimodal connectivity throughout the waterfront district.
• Integrated naturalized shoreline conditions, wetland systems, and habitat restoration strategies to improve ecological performance and climate resilience.
• Conducted extensive public and stakeholder engagement through surveys, workshops, and open houses to shape the evolving vision.
• Established a phased and adaptable implementation framework to guide future investment, partnerships, and redevelopment over time.