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HomeNews"The debate over round vs square rocks." Mayor Bachrach on Smithers' Downtown...

“The debate over round vs square rocks.” Mayor Bachrach on Smithers’ Downtown Revitalization Program

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Chartrand

The Downtown Revitalization Program has been quite the topic of conversation lately for Smithers Town Council.

Lanarc Consultant Kate Evans joined Council at the May 8th meeting via teleconference in hopes of answering any questions or concerns regarding the project.

“There were a couple questions in terms of the direction of the program,” says Mayor Taylor Bachrach, “however, Lanarc surveyed the public and are integrating what they feel the community wants. With our guidance, we will make sure that happens. We will proceed with the recommendation by Lanarc and appreciate all their hard work. This will forever be known as the debate between round vs square rocks.”

Councillor Phil Brienesse says this phone call was needed to clear the air between Lanarc and the Town of Smithers.

“As a council, there was a bit of confusion in terms of the vision for Lanarcs proposal. We wanted 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 downtown upgrades.”

The Downtown Revitalization Program is not a complete re-do of the downtown core. This initiative will ensure that Council has a plan in place for when upgrades are needed on a priority basis.

Potential future upgrades will include:

  • Street trees
  • Shrubs and plants
  • New low-flow irrigation
  • New seating and benches
  • New planter structures
  • New additional waste and recycling bins
  • Additional rock landscaping

“I think there will always be esthetic preferences,” says Bachrach ” but we’re happy with the direction the project is headed in. We want to preserve the legacy of downtown as people are very attached to the look and feel. Citizens want changes to be minor and we feel there is a good plan in place for a universal design heading forward.”

A detailed design of the Downtown Revitalization Program is set to be completed by August and unveiled sometime in September.

 

 

 

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