Budget committee has approved $1.6 million in detailed design work for significant reconstruction of downtown Orillia’s streetscape.
The last downtown reconstruction project took place in 1978, and the city’s website states the project endeavours to “create a well-designed, environmentally friendly, fully inclusive, and accessible streetscape.”
The downtown Orillia streetscape improvement plan project area includes sections of Mississaga, Coldwater, Colborne, West and Peter streets, and the waterfront esplanade.
The project is in the city’s 10-year capital forecast, and construction is subject to council approval following detailed design work.
Funds for a project manager are included in the approval, and the design phase of the project is expected to last two years.
“A few years ago, we did the downtown Orillia streetscape improvement design concept, which was received by council,” said Ian Sugden, general manager of development services and engineering. “The detailed design is anticipated to take two years to complete ... That’s all of the engineering for all of the below-grade works, plus the above-ground works, and then it would lead into periods of construction.”
Before the design work begins, city staff said, additional meetings will be held with council. They noted $150,000 has already been approved to maintain some of the sidewalks downtown, beginning in 2024.
“This is probably … one of the biggest projects this council will commence with during your term,” said CAO Gayle Jackson. “What we’re looking for is for you to authorize the funding to commence the design process, but that will not commence until significant conversation and consultation has occurred.”
Coun. Ralph Cipolla questioned whether downtown merchants will have the opportunity to weigh in on the project, and staff said there will be consultation throughout the process, just as there was through the downtown Orillia streetscape process.
“There was significant public consultation — including with the (business improvement area), the (Downtown Orillia Management Board), the chamber (of commerce), and others were all engaged in that — and that is baked into that design concept,” Sugden said. “As we move into detailed design, our anticipation is that the project manager would be doing a lot of that engagement, consultation, oversight and co-ordination.”
Coun. Whitney Smith questioned whether this is the appropriate time to move forward with the project, as it will likely bring street closures and disruption downtown while many businesses are still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Having construction that would potentially shut them down for one to three years — is this something that we need to do right now? Are the roads that bad or the sidewalks that bad?” she asked.
Those concerns will be part of staff’s further discussions with council, Sugden said, but he noted the downtown is in need of reconstruction work.
“The services are aging and failing in certain areas, so it does need to be done,” he said, “but, certainly, those impacts of construction are significant, and the impacts from COVID are still lasting.”
Coun. David Campbell said the city, and those affected by construction work, will come together and make a plan that works for everyone.
“Just to be clear there: The downtown would not be shut down for two to three years. I don’t want that getting out in the public and people panicking. There would be a plan, and the plan would enable those businesses to continue to operate as much as possible during the construction, and that’s part of what those discussions will be,” he said.
“I think it’s incredibly important that the merchants and the BIA be involved in the process, have a voice in timing and what that’s going to look like, and we’re obviously going to ensure that happens.”
Cipolla, similarly, suggested the idea of a working group, where merchants and the city could work together to ensure the project rolls out smoothly.
“Planning this project, as indicated, is a very significant undertaking,” Jackson said. “Consequently, if a working group is the desire of council, we certainly could proceed in that fashion.”
Capital budget deliberations wrapped up Tuesday. Decisions made during budget meetings are subject to ratification on Dec. 11.
