During the Dec. 12 meeting Centre Wellington council endorsed numerous downtown Elora improvements.
Some of those included:
– endorsed the preferred alternative for the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge and West Mill Street Realm improvements;
– authorized staff to issue a notice of study completion for the class environmental assessment for the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge and West Mill Street Public Realm improvements;
– endorsed the preferred concept for the expansion of the public parking lot adjacent to the Elora LCBO;
– directed staff to pursue a design-build method of project delivery for the detailed design and construction of the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge; and
– directed staff to proceed with the detailed design, applications for regulatory approvals, preparation of tender documents, and construction for the West Mill Street Public Realm improvements and Elora LCBO parking lot expansion in 2017.
“This legacy revitalization project was made possible by the generous donation from the Jack R. MacDonald Trust,” said Mayor Kelly Linton.
Since early 2016, township staff, Stantec, and BT Engineering have been working with the community, the Elora Business Association, and Heritage Centre Wellington in developing bridge design guidelines and preferred concepts for all three of the projects.
The identification for the need to replace the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge arose during conversations with Wellington County as it reviewed the Badley (Metcalfe Street) bridge replacement/reconstruction planned for 2019.
As part of these discussions it was agreed that the implementation of the Victoria Street Bridge would provide significant improvements for access to and for downtown Elora businesses and residents during the Badley Bridge reconstruction.
The Township identified funding the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge as part of the 2016 capital budget which was later approved by council to be funded from the Jack R MacDonald Trust funds.
Improvements and service upgrades were identified on West Mill Street for the Pearle Hospitality development.
New services for the properties were required. The township is also undertaking the expansion of the West Mill Street Pumping Station located on the south side of West Mill Street.
The preferred concept includes improvements to pedestrian movement including accessibility and new concrete sidewalks, improved landscaping, redefined parking spaces, new street lighting, improved drainage and burying existing overhead utilities.
Pearle Hospitality owned the parcel of land adjacent to the LCBO on Metcalfe Street which will now be owned by the township. This allows the ownership to redevelop this new land parcel and other adjacent lands owned by the township to replace and expand public parking in the downtown. The preferred concept plan is estimated to cost $315,000 which will be shared 50/50 with Pearle Hospitality.
These projects have unique characteristics and will provide significant improvements to downtown Elora for many years to come.
