Owen Sound will be moving ahead with the next phase of the downtown river precinct project, after council signed off on an updated plan that shaves some costs.
Councillors resolved at a special meeting on Monday to approve spending $2.01-million for the revamp of 1st Avenue East between 9th and 10th Streets.
City council shelved the project earlier this year after bids came in nearly $1-million over budget. But staff presented an updated design concept during Monday’s meeting that will cost about $900,000 less.
A slightly narrower boardwalk, less “gateway columns” and traditional lighting instead of a light canopy are among the changes to the plan to cut down the cost.
The city’s director of community services Pam Coulter told councillors the revised plan “retains the integrity of the design” but brings the budget closer to what was originally approved.
Coun. Travis Dodd: “I think it’s fantastic you’re able to reduce it down to budget … when council talked in the past, it was ‘we loved the idea of it, we didn’t like the price of it.'”
It’s expected the project will be tendered early next year.
The first phase of the downtown river precinct project — a $2.93-million revamp of 1st Avenue East between 8th and 9th Streets — was completed in 2019.
Coulter says Phase 1 has been well received and has created “momentum for the project.”
“The space is well used and hosts diverse activities. They’re inclusive and accessible. It feels safe. And it brings our attention back to the river,” she says. “We know from the data of pedestrian counters that pedestrian in this space has increased since the project was completed.”