With the recent grand opening of the Fergus Library, the Township of Centre Wellington is preparing for the next phase of the Downtown Fergus river land redevelopment.
A public tender closed on May 20, and township officials had hoped there would be significant interest from contractors to implement the project, which is expected to cost about $665,000.
The redevelopment will begin construction in June and last about two months.
The plan, created by the Fergus Business Improvement Area (BIA), incorporates the recently-completed expansion of Wellington County’s Fergus library branch.
According to a May 14 press release from the township, the river land redevelopment project will:
– incorporate expansion of the Fergus Library and additional public open space;
– include new sanitary and storm sewer construction (complete);
– re-align Menzie’s Lane to “accommodate service delivery, operational, and emergency vehicle access” (traffic flow in one direction at a time);
– maintain vehicle access to all existing business’ rear service areas;
– improve pedestrian access and public space along the Grand River; and
– provide 31 parking spaces, including three accessible spaces (a reduction of 37 parking spaces).
Anyone interested in viewing the downtown Fergus river land redevelopment plan may visit the Centre Wellington Township website at www.centrewellington.ca.
Township and Triton Engineering staff recently met with the Fergus BIA to work together on a coordinated communication plan to help keep local businesses, residents and property owners aware of the construction status on a regular basis.
The communications plan will include:
– temporary signs to help direct customers/visitors to alternate free public lots during the construction period;
– regular emails/letters on the status of the project;
– regular updates on the Fergus BIA website and in the BIA Newsletter; and
– township and Triton staff meeting individually prior to the start of construction with the businesses backing onto the project area to review the project plan, and review their delivery service requirements during the construction period.
During the construction period business owners and customers are reminded of the additional free public parking lots on St. Patrick Street West and St. George West, in addition to available on-street parking.
A map of downtown Fergus parking areas can be found on the Fergus BIA website at www.downtownfergus.com.
