Tradition with a twist set for downtown Smithers

“Some of the public comments concerning the revitalization of downtown suggest that we will be ripping up main street and redoing everything, I want to make it clear that is not the case, ” says Smithers Town Councillor Frank Wray on the downtown revitalization plan.

So what is all the talk about concerning the Lanarc Consultants and their “Tradition with a twist” for the downtown core?

Well, the plan for Smithers Council is to ensure the commercial core remains a focal point in the community.

By implementing the revitalization program, it ensures there is a plan in place to keep downtown looking good.

“It all started with the removal of a tree from downtown last year. As a council, we figured why do things the old way. We can modernize as we go and the plans by the Lanarc contractors will allow us the opportunity to upgrade as we go,” says Councillor Wray.

Smithers downtown was designed for an alpine theme back in the 1980s.

Councillor Wray feels future upgrades by Lanarc can include past plans while also keeping up with the times.

The Tradition with a twist project can be broken down into three phases:

1. Focus on project background, existing conditions, gathering ideas and input.
2. Develop draft directions and review options with the town council and members of the public.
3. Develop and implement a plan for the further review

A public open house was held March 15th, 2018 in hopes of garnering thoughts from residents of Smithers.

On that night, a survey was held to see what people thought was most important to keeping downtown fresh.

Members of the public said these listed items were top on their priority list.

1. Street trees
2. Shrubs and plants
3. New low-flow irrigation
4. New seating and benches
5. New planter structures
6. New additional waste and recycling bins

Councillor Phil Brienesse says what Lanarc presented to the public and what they are proposing now, doesn’t align with the Town of Smithers objective.

“As a council, there was a bit of confusion in terms of the vision for Lanarcs proposal. We want to make sure that the direction of this project aligns with what the public wants. They have some great creativity and we want to make sure that creativity goes into the upgrades downtown.”

So for now, Smithers will have to play the waiting game.

Council will place a phone call to Lanarc before the next council meeting on May 8th, ensuring both parties are on the same page when it comes to the next step in the tradition with a twist for downtown Smithers.