Entry 17.2: Kanin Fjord Rising Chapter 2
May 29, 2009
Population: 5,785
Chapter 2: Essential Upgrades
The great recession is coming to an end, and town leaders are expressing great optimism for Kanin Fjord’s future. For most of the early 2000s, the topography of Kanin Fjord, made the cost of new developments too expensive to be financially feasible. Additionally, the old village had limited resources that were already strained with the town’s existing population. Two years ago, however, this began to change.
Skyrocketing prices of Atlantic shellfish contributed to the continued prosperity of the town’s fishing industry throughout the Great Recession, providing the town with a significant amount of funding. The influx of cash allowed Kanin Fjord to invest in various upgrades to the town’s municipal and utility infrastructure.
Over a two-year period between the Spring of 2007 and July 2009, Kanin Fjord either reconstructed or upgraded the following facilities:
- New police station.
- New fire station with ambulance dispatch service.
- New water treatment plant with three times the capacity of the old treatment facility.
- More than doubled the capacity of the town’s school along with adding a much-needed gymnasium to the school. Additionally, providing a school bus service for students.
Not only were the new town services able to handle the current population, but the new facilities were designed to handle predicted future increases in the town’s population. This placed significant downward pressure on the cost of developing the town by raising the land values to a point where new construction could now be profitable. Difficult topography was no longer a significant hinderance.
Good Riddance to Bad Clams
Constructed in 1993, Clam Shacks, were tight-spaced units designed to temporarily house immigrant fishermen during the fishing season. They were small 525 ft² three-room units with only a bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. Over the past 16 years, they’ve become a blight on the old village and now permanently occupied. Rundown, minimal floorspace, and unsanitary living conditions led the city to condemn the buildings and relocate the tenants.
Tenants had their leases bought out and were forced to relocate by the city. Kanin Fjord did assist in their relocation, however. They were given three choices: relocate to new housing in Tore Punkt at the same rent rate, sign a lease at a higher rate for new apartments that would be constructed after the clam shacks were demolished, or be given a cash payment towards relocation. Most ended up relocating to the new housing in Tore Punkt; however, some did move out of town. In the end, the unsightly buildings were torn down and their former occupants were living in much better conditions.
Before and After Shots
The Old Village. In the second picture, you can see the addition of several city blocks and the new fire and police departments.
The Old village center at the center top of the screen.
The old fish storage warehouse was demolished and replaced with a new tunnel under the old village. This is part of Sleipnir Bridge project.
New school additions including a gymnasium and now providing bus service for students.
New fire and police departments. Kanin Fjord now has an ambulance dispatch service.
New water treatment plant. This new facility has three times the capacity of the old plant which was essentially just a giant septic tank. This new facility treats wastewater, making it safe to drain back into the ocean.
Kanin Fjord’s Eastern-most coast. The north port is visible in the upper right, and south port visible in the center top of the image.
Two new blocks added to the old village. These included dozens of apartments and new homes, along with roadway improvements to the downtown blocks.
The eastern end of Villaveien
The western end of Villaveien
.
New apartments which replaced the Clam Shacks.
The Kanin Fjord Peninsula
The old village on the left, and new municipal complex on right.
North-South aerial of the Old Village.
Old Village Center at night.
New housing provided for the former Clam Shack residents. These new cabins feature more than double the floorspace, a full basement, and a half story sleeping area, for the exact same rent rate as the clam shacks. The catch was a further distance from the town center, and a long walk between the parking lot and the cabins.
-
10
3 Comments
Recommended Comments
Sign In or register to comment...
To comment in reply, you must be a community member
Sign In
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowCreate an Account
Sign up to join our friendly community. It's easy!
Register a New Account