The City of Armstrong wants to spruce up the place.
Council unanimously supported a staff request to authorize requests for expressions of interest for landscape design and beautification plan services.
“It’s been some time since the city undertook a rejuvenation of the commercial landscape areas,” said chief administrative officer Melinda Stickney in a report to council.
“The goal is to develop and implement a consistent look throughout that supports water conservation, and utilizes xeriscaping principles for a sustainable design as encouraged by the official community plan and water conservation program.”
The five primary corridors the city is interested in updating the aged landscaping and infrastructure include:
1. Smith Drive from Pleasant Valley Road to Rosedale Avenue;
2. Pleasant Valley Road from Highway 97 to Mill Street;
3. Pleasant Valley Boulevard from Mill Street to Okanagan Street;
4. Pleasant Valley Road from Okanagan Street to Bridge Street;
5. Pleasant Valley Road from Bridge Street towards the IPE Fairgrounds and in front of the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club.
“The expressions of interest are just for companies involved in this field, can supply the services and would like to work for us,” said Mayor Chris Pieper.
Along the same lines, one councillor would also like to see the city add to its Christmas festiveness.
Coun. Paul Britton is hoping that, during the upcoming budget deliberations, some money can be found to add more Christmas lights around the city.
“I think we do a decent job but I always like to compare our downtown to what you see in Vernon, which is amazing,” said Britton.
The high school counsellor has talked with people in Vernon about how they go about lighting up a two-block radius in downtown.
Costs, he said, include about $10,000 for the lights and the infrastructure was between $50,000 and $60,000.
“City crews put the lights up, they stay up all year and I bring this up because we’re looking at beautifying five areas,” he said.
“I think the entrance into Armstrong would be a good place to start. We’ve got some huge trees there and we wouldn’t have to spend this much money.”