The timeline for a major downtown reconstruction project has been cut in half – to two years from four – with beautification efforts and a new waste collection system added … at least in theory.
City council approved changes to the Wyndham Street initiative at its meeting on Tuesday, but they won’t become official unless they survive the city budget confirmation process expected to begin next month.
The changes were approved unanimously by council, with councillor Phil Allt not in attendance.
Tuesday’s alterations to the plan come with an estimated cost of $18.1 million, almost all of which is to decrease the Wyndham Street reconstruction project timeline as well as increase the streetscaping plan.
Also included is the installation of communal, underground waste containers – similar to those used by some fast food businesses – and sorting stations, at a cost of $1.01 million.
The reconstruction of Wyndham Street, between Woolwich and St. George’s Square at Quebec Street, is expected to begin in 2026 and continue through 2027.
City staff previously chopped the project’s scope due to budget concerns, reducing beautification efforts to “good” from “great,” but Tuesday’s motions add some of that back in – an increased tree canopy, public seating, removable bollards, cycling infrastructure, smoothed curbs and more.
That streetscaping plan includes the installation of at least two self-cleaning, autonomous public washroom structures at St. George’s Square and other downtown locations. The washrooms would be accessible 24/7 and one would be dedicated to the homeless.
At this point, nothing approved by city council on Tuesday is included in the municipal budget, which is currently set to come in with a 9.79 per cent property tax increase for 2025. Earlier this year, Mayor Cam Guthrie ordered staff to deliver a draft budget with a tax increase of four per cent or less.
City officials are set to hold an open house at city hall on Oct. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. regarding much of what was just approved by council, as well as the downtown heights study and a community planning permit pilot project.
Though that event’s focus will be on the Wyndham street project’s implementation.
Feedback will also be sought on the design and future of St. George’s Square.
In addition to display boards and activities, a presentation is planned for 6:30 p.m. with a question-and-answer session to follow.
