City Centre streetscape revitalization work scheduled to begin May 9

Starting next week on May 9, work is scheduled to begin on the streetscape revitalization project for McLeod Avenue and Main Street as part of the City Centre Area Redevelopment Plan (CCARP).

This project will kick start the redevelopment of the City Centre by enhancing the area as one of the City’s main commercial and social destinations. It will create a safer, pedestrian focused environment by improving sidewalks and street crossings, adding street trees, landscaping, seating, and places to gather.

This includes the rehabilitation of the underground infrastructure to service businesses and residents and create the opportunity for new development. There will also be the integration of Columbus Park to enable the entire area to be used for a variety of festivals and events.

This project is one element of CCARP, which is focused on revitalizing the area and making the City Centre a place where people of all ages come to shop, dine, work, live, socialize, interact and participate in a variety of community, arts and cultural experiences.

“When City Council approved the CCARP, it was about creating a vision for this part of our community that would transform it into a dynamic and vibrant mixed use space,” said Mayor Jeff Acker. “It’s extremely exciting to see work begin on this part of the plan, which will not only significantly update the look of the streetscape, but also incorporate new features and functionality that will better serve our city.”

Streetscape Revitalization Rendering

The streetscape redevelopment will be a two-year project, starting in May 2022 with completion in the fall of 2023. The first phase of work in 2022/2023 will focus on the area of McLeod Avenue (from King Street to Queen Street) and Main Street (from First Avenue to Church Road).

As this is a significant construction project, it will result in temporary road closures and other disruption in the City Centre area; traffic flow will be limited to one-way for the majority of the 2022 and 2023 construction seasons.

Initial construction in May will focus on underground work at the McLeod Avenue and Main Street intersection and continue for approximately four weeks. This work will involve the full closure of the intersection, resulting in some traffic disruptions, so watch for signs and detours.

Following the May long weekend, there will be more underground work starting that will require partial road closures, resulting in one-way traffic. Accommodations will be made to allow for the safe movement of foot traffic in the area.

Benches and waste containers on both McLeod Avenue and Main Street will also be removed to facilitate this construction work. These items will be reused elsewhere in the city.

Bird's Eye View of Streetscape Revitalization

Businesses in the City Centre will remain open during the construction and the community is encouraged to continue supporting them throughout this temporary disruption in the area.

“We certainly recognize this work will have an impact on City Centre businesses, as well as patrons and residents to the area, and I’d like to thank everyone for their cooperation as we undertake this revitalization project,” said Mayor Acker. “Let’s continue to shop local and show them our support both now and throughout this construction project.”

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