[MonctonRad]

from Sackville Tribune-Post:

Revitalization of Bridge Street downtown hopefully to proceed in 2014.

Sackville’s downtown revitalization committee was hoping 2014 would be the year funding would come through for a much-needed and long-awaited makeover on Bridge Street.

“I am feeling optimistic it will happen in 2014,” said Robert Lyon, chair of the downtown committee and a local business owner.

Lyon said the downtown improvement project had already gained support from the town, with a funding commitment through to 2015 for one-third of the cost. And the committee was in the midst of re-applying for federal ACOA grants for a second year, with last year’s application receiving favourable reviews. The project also hinges on getting backing from the provincial government, which wasn’t able to fund the project in 2013.

“If the province comes on board with it this year, I think it’ll be a go.”

The proposed project, which would essentially be a makeover of downtown Bridge Street, includes a total reconstruction of the roadway – including installing new water and sewer mains that would replace the aging infrastructure that was put in in the 1930s and a much-needed re-paving. The project also includes removing the power poles along that street and burying the lines underground

The upgrades are expected to cost an estimated $1 million, with $350,000 of that amount anticipated to come from both the town and ACOA and $300,000 from the province.



Downtown park ready for next step in makeover project

Work had been completed on the underground infrastructure upgrades at the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park.

George Woodburn, Sackville’s director of public works and engineering, said his crews has recently finished work on replacing the aging storm and sanitary sewer lines underneath the park, as well as installing a new water line for the proposed splash pad, in preparation for an expansive park makeover in 2014.

“It’s now ready for a tender to be called early next year,” said Woodburn during council’s monthly meeting Nov. 12.

Plans for the park include a new field house building, a new band shell, a splash pad, and a facelift of the basketball and tennis court areas.