It was deal decades in the making. 

On Wednesday, Hamilton councillors voted in favour of an agreement that will see the city take over control of the marinas at piers 7 and 8 from the port authority. 

It was a key step in a longstanding vision to redevelop the bayfront and make it a gleaming destination point in Hamilton's north end. The decision also represents a major milestone in the city's efforts to reclaim the waterfront, more than a century after it ceded control of the land to the Hamilton Harbour Commissioners.

Flip through the photo gallery at the top of the page to learn about seven key moments that led up to Wednesday's vote.