Southampton (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
The Southampton Business Improvement Area (BIA) is holding a meeting to discuss a High Street renewal plan next month.
Set for May 20 at the Southampton Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the BIA Chair Sara Porter says they commissioned the development of the plan and is inviting input before presenting it to Saugeen Shores council.
Porter says the plan was started to address concerns surrounding the condition of infrastructure like hydro, sewer, asphalt, and sidewalks, as well as safety concerns and opportunities for cultural and art installations, and overall beautification.
“We believe this plan will serve all of Southampton’s businesses, residents and visitors. We feel this plan will not only maintain, but enhance the small town charm we all love,” says Porter. “We will be adding in additional trees, shrubs, flowers seating areas to create a more comfortable and beautified surface, so people are walking our downtown core, they will have areas to stop, sit and look around.”
The BIA says it hopes the improvement to High Street will become a municipal priority and some of the concepts included in the plan will be incorporated into the new infrastructure when it is addressed. Adding, they are pleased the town has already allocated funds for a formal parking study for Southampton and Port Elgin this summer.
“We have an opportunity to improve Southampton’s downtown infrastructure and create enhanced shopping and dining experiences along with safe cycling and pedestrian movement. This plan will enable us to achieve this,” says Bruce Martin who headed the sub-committee overseeing the development of the plan.
More information on the plan can be found on the BIA website here.