Perhaps the best-known parking lot in Bradford West Gwillimbury is getting a $297,000 facelift, council voted this week.
The large downtown parking lot off John and Moore streets is slated for several improvements, including repaving the asphalt, adding illumination, redoing the line painting, eliminating the stairs on the southeastern corner of the lot, and extending the storm sewer.
However, town staff initially suggested council select a modified option that could eliminate the new illumination and asphalt for now because the total for the project was $47,000 more than council allocated in its 2019 budget.
“I can’t believe we’re going to do this and not touch the asphalt or the illumination,” said Coun. Gary Baynes at a council meeting June 18. “I think (residents are) going to be shocked (if we don’t do those improvements).”
Council approved $250,000 in its 2019 budget for the rehabilitation — divided between engineering design costs ($50,000) and construction ($200,000), read a town staff report.
The town plans to cover the extra cost it approved this week through the town’s capital replacement reserve, read the report.
When the parking lot rehabilitation first came up, the main issue was lack of lack of illumination and safety, said Coun. Mark Contois.
“The darkness is the issue, and safety is the issue,” added Coun. Gary Lamb. “This is an investment in the downtown. I think we’re obligated to do it right and now wait. This is an immediate impact on the downtown.”
