Public engagement is important to the City of Selkirk which is why communication with citizens, property and business owners over the coming weeks to provide feedback on the reconstruction of Eveline Street between Eaton Avenue and Queen Avenue is happening now.
Mayor Larry Johannson says that this will be a major infrastructure renewal project in the downtown area and the city is looking to citizens to help define the objectives of the work.
“While we must rely on engineering standards and transportation system guidelines to design the street, we look to our citizens to help define what services we want the street to provide. In December we spoke with property owners and businesses benefiting from the investment and now we are engaging the entire community,” said Johannson.
Eveline Street requires full reconstruction
The City, using its Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP), has identified Eveline Street between Eaton Ave and Queen Avenue as being in Poor condition and requiring a full reconstruction.
Among the conditions driving this project are deteriorating road pavement and curbs, unmarked, inaccessible and unsafe pedestrian crossings, lack of pedestrian amenities and poor lighting.
The city’s CAO Duane Nicol said that “In addition to the reconstruction needs of the road, this portion of Eveline does not meet modern standards for accessibility, lighting, public safety, and other urban design best practices”.
“It’s important for us to meet these modern standards and while doing so, we plan to recapture elements of the streets natural state by reintroducing trees to the area to not only provide shade but to absorb excess storm water. Not only does this help us fulfill our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, but it also restores the look of the street to its historic roots. Trees were a key element of the early Eveline street scape”.
A safe and accessible connection
The proposed enhancements on the stretch that connects Selkirk’s downtown to Selkirk Park could benefit property owners and visitors to their buildings by creating more accessible entrances into businesses and improved sidewalks.
“Every decision we make going forward adheres to our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS). By integrating this work into our capital asset management program, we can ensure that we are using leading practices to undertake this and other projects going forward” Nicol said.
The reconstruction of Eveline Street hits on almost all points in the city’s Strategic Plan, particularly Priority 3 – safe and sustainable infrastructure, by improving the smooth operation of transportation systems. This project also supports Priority 1 – a vibrant, safe and healthy community, achieved through continued development of the city’s natural features and outdoor spaces and a revitalized downtown. Priority 2 of the Strategic Plan is a strong and stable local economy, which will be sustained by building on the city’s status as a regional service centre and building on Selkirk’s tourism potential.
The City is seeking input from citizens to help shape the final design. To share your input, please visit MySelkirk.ca/Eveline.
