Downtown Enderby will remain open for business as a major construction project proceeds.
Revitalization of Cliff Avenue begins Monday.
“Everyone is pretty excited. People have been waiting and waiting,” said Mayor Greg McCune. “The priority is to make sure access to businesses is open.”
To ensure residents and visitors can get to businesses, there will be protected pedestrian walkways.
Motorists will be directed to free city parking lots on Maude Street, Russell Avenue and Mill Avenue.
“Our lots are a one to three-minute walking distance of the businesses,” said Tate Bengtson, chief administrative officer.
“It will still be easy to shop downtown.”
Updates on construction will also be posted at www.cityofenderby.com/cliff
Work starts Monday with the removing of the existing trees and pavement will be churned up Tuesday.
Construction is expected to be done by July 1.
“They (contractor) will be moving fairly quickly and they feel confident with the timeline,” said Bengtson.
Once completed, the project will feature a raised intersection at Cliff Avenue and Belvedere Street to improve safety and create a public plaza. Other aspects include seating, rain garden, street trees and pier-themed gateway structures. Road, sidewalk and water infrastructure will also be replaced.
The total project cost is $1.8 million, with about $200,000 directly linked to beautification. The rest of the money will go towards infrastructure.
The city has initiated an alternate approval process to borrow $467,000 over 20 years for the project.
If 10 per cent of voters, or 238 people, sign the alternate approval process petition by April 25, the borrowing can’t proceed.
“If the borrowing is turned down, the funds will come from taxes or from reserves,” said McCune.
“We don’t foresee a problem. The majority of people seem pretty good with it.”
If the borrowing of $467,000 proceeds, the annual taxation impact on a house assessed at $217,120 is $20.