Construction crews have begun work on a new waterfront development for Stratford – a plan that's been on the table for years.

The bulldozers are at work on the 17-acre site just off Stratford Road, close to the Hillsborough Bridge.

Developers say they want to create a downtown, complete with new streets, sidewalks, street lamps, homes and hopefully new shops and restaurants.

"The big picture is to create a bit of a downtown feeling for Stratford," said Rob McCloskey, project manager with REJ Holdings, the consulting firm working on the project.

"An example to use in your mind would be, sort of lower Queen Street in Charlottetown," he said. "Probably this will be a little more residential in nature, but the idea is to create an older town feel."

McCloskey said the development will open the town's waterfront to its residents.

Buildings in the new area will be set back from the water, he said, giving the public access to green space overlooking Charlottetown Harbour.