The Fergus Business Improvement Area wants some long term planning for its downtown and has asked council to strike a special committee to ensure it gets done.
BIA treasurer George Mochrie came to Centre Wellington’s committee of the whole on April 11 with the request.
“Your BIA wants to be more than just master of banners and benches,” Mochrie said. He asked that the township take the lead in such planning. He said the BIA hopes to get more dialogue and ideas if township staff are included in the planning. He suggested planner Brett Salmon and Parks and Recreation Manager Andy Goldie.
He added that a master plan would have two parts. One would be to consider five, ten, and 15 years, and the first priority would be the riverscape. He noted that “Great cities like Boston and Chicago do not look like they do today by accident.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj told Mochrie his timing is good, and council has set its strategic planning meetings for that week.
Councillor Kirk McElwain wondered if there would be “any benefit for committees for both downtowns.”
Mochrie agreed, and said the township should be looking at all downtowns, and that includes Aboyne, where county buildings on the museum lands will require some planning as well.
He added that the riverscape in Fergus is particularly underused.
Ross-Zuj said council will work through its BIA representative Walt Visser on the BIA’s request.
