TORONTO, Ont. – Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee approved a 30-year development plan for the Port Lands, the city’s eastern harbour, on Monday.

The project will cost approximately $1.9 billion, with funding primarily coming from the private sector, land sales and development charges.

Revitalization for the largely underused plot of land, includes open space and parkland, with naturalization and flood protection remaining as key components.

“That’s what happens when you get the private sector involved,” Ford said. “I like it, I like what I see,” he said of plan.

The massive waterfront site is located east of Cherry Street and south of Lake Shore Boulevard.

The project had initially been put at a standstill because the site needed to be protected from flooding from the Don River, a $643 million cost. But officials have recently said proofing the area can be done for $130 million less than first projected.

Prepared by the city and Waterfront Toronto, the plan depicts a mixed-use neighbourhood with 8,700 housing units, office and retail space, including a 375-room hotel.

The plan will go before city council next month.

Meanwhile, the executive committee approved contracting out TTC cleaning jobs.

TTC chair Karen Stintz told CityNews that the transit commission is working within the collective agreement and is trying to work with the union.

“But ultimately, our responsibility is to the riders and we need to make sure we reduce our costs where we can,” Stintz said.

Contracts for garbage collection have already been awarded and contracts for washroom cleaning are ongoing.

But the executive committee shot down Coun. Adam Vaughan’s bullet ban.

Still, the councillor is unfazed, and will continue to advocate for restrictions, he told 680News.

“I think fewer guns make this city safer,” he said.