|
|
|
|
Conflicting interests-Residents want parking, demand cost estimates |
|
Taking a stroll down Lennoxville streets that resemble a quaint New England village, checking out the shops, sitting with an ice cream on a fancy bench, and looking up and not seeing ugly electric wires is a nice “dream”, but the majority attending Monday night’s beautification consultation say traffic, parking, poor roads, and especially cost should be a priority before spending $5 million on burying wires.
Borough director general Marc Mongeau and design firm Teknika HBA Inc.’s Donald Bonsant went through the proposed plans, many derived from last year’s Nov. 7 public meeting which 20 residents attended. At the time the borough’s strengths, which include its English character, schools, and commercial potential as well as its weaknesses — like signage, a negative image, traffic, vandalism, and the railway tracks — were documented.
Borough president Doug MacAulay told the audience of over 50 that the realization of the PPU (Special Planning Program) is a long-held dream come true.
“With the numbers here tonight there is obviously an interest and I’m very very happy with that,” he said. “Tonight is to consult. We are looking for your input. My position on this plan is that it is a dream of mine as I walked to Champlain College to work some 27 years ago. During my last few visits to small New England towns, like Hanover and Middlebury, I was very impressed with how the university buildings and the town blended together. Cleaning up College and Queen and having a link between our university and Uplands museum is something I have wanted to see happen for a long time.”
He stated that the plan presented during the evening was derived thanks to a $25,000 grant allotted by the City of Sherbrooke.
But at this early stage, no other funds to actually begin work have been approved.
“I will say that after this plan went in the papers I received a number of emails congratulating the borough. We want to attract tourists.”
The face-lift project will affect Queen Street, between Academy and Down, and College, between the downtown intersection to the St. Francis Bridge towards Bishop’s College School.
What was mentioned? Bike and pedestrian trail extensions, more green spaces and landscaping, more signage, and the re-zoning of properties to only allow commercial activity within the designated area. There was also talk of expropriating the land where the former Co-op building sits (on Queen). All went over well with the crowd.
However, question period demonstrated a concern over the burial of utility wires. Residents asked about having to pay to connect to the newly buried wires — one suggested $25- to $50,000 per connection.
MacAulay responded by stating that he was unaware of individual costs and made mention of grants available from Hydro Sherbrooke and Quebec.
“When this was done on Wellington Street the merchants joined together and decided to take out a loan that they shared,” MacAulay said. “When there are numbers established there will be another consultation so everyone knows.”
Lennoxville student residence owner Karl Hunting was the first of four to ask a question that was never clearly answered.
“You say... that you have no idea how much this is going to cost all of us that will need to connect to the underground hydro wires, but does this include Bell and Internet?” he asked. “Is this all going to come out of our pockets?”
MacAulay said final costs are still to be determined. “We will be applying for grants. I will say one thing, the City of Sherbrooke surely isn’t going to pay it all.”
Lennoxville’s Tri-Us co-owner Jessica Wilson questioned the amount of time needed to have local roads dug up, and how this would impact already struggling businesses.
“From the statements made here tonight I think it has been made clear that burying utility wires is not a priority,” she said. “As a business owner I would like to know how long the roads will be dug up while this is happening?”
Community Aid director Sylvie Fowlis reminded the panel that 19 per cent of Lennoxville’s population is made up of seniors, and she suggested planning on reserved parking for car-pooling.
“Have you forgotten about your seniors,” said a resident after Fowlis returned to her seat. “I haven’t heard anyone mention anything about seniors until Ms. Fowlis did. Crossing the street at times is downright impossible. I’d rather jay walk.”
The plans frequently mention the advantage and improvements that will follow the Highway 410 extension; it is assumed that by redirecting big trucks away from Lennoxville the traffic problem will be resolved, or at least ameliorated.
“I suggest you finish the 410 before you start digging up the streets,” a resident stated quickly.
MacAulay responded to several 410 inquiries by stating that he heard that in 2008 the exit ramp is to be built near the Université de Sherbrooke.
“From my understanding the project has been approved environmentally, but I haven’t heard of any other plans at this point.”
The PPU analysis phase does not see Queen Street parking to be a serious problem. A slew of residents contested this: “Parking has always been the biggest problem Lennoxville has ever had,” said retired fire chief and former Queen street business owner George Beaulieu. “I see nothing in the plans to ameliorate that problem. If you want tourists you have to have somewhere for them to park. Since we joined Sherbrooke our services have gone down hill and our taxes have gone up.”
Other comments touched on a variety of concerns:
• “Businesses are leaving, like the butcher”
• “I believe there’s lots more we can do instead of burying wires”
• “Winter is six months of the year. Is Lennoxville going to be as beautiful in winter?”
• “Why are there no signs that say Lennoxville?”
• “Have we forgotten about Lennoxville’s unique night life?”
• “Are our roads going to be fixed?”
• “We need a notice board.”
Business owner Grant Simeon was perhaps most eloquent: “It’s a wonderful idea. Lennoxville could benefit from a drastic facelift, but perhaps my biggest concern is how the PPU is being presented,” he said. “It’s not the improvement that is the biggest concern. It’s the uncertainty of what the average person will have to invest. Look at what is going on economically. Gas prices are rising, the Canadian dollar is falling and we’re talking burying wires. Lennoxville needs to develop, it needs to improve, and it needs to beautify, but my suggestion is to slow down and prioritize. Start improving public land first. Once I see commitment by the municipality I may in turn be more motivated to improve my property. Collectively, we can then look at burying wires.”
By Jen Young
April 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Montreal Canadiens
