Time is running out for Essex Town Councillors to decide whether to go ahead with an ambitious streetscaping project in Essex Centre.
"We're running out of time because the tender is going to expire," explained Mayor Sherry Bondy.
The project, along Talbot Street, from Gosfield Avenue to Maidstone Avenue, and Victoria Avenue, dates back to 2013 when the council of the day embarked on a theming plan. Earlier this year, it approved $9.36-million for construction, but when contractors responded to the request for tender, their estimates ranged from $11.8-million to over $13-million.
"Just like any other project municipalities are facing right now, when we go out to tender, costs are coming in higher," said Bondy, blaming inflation and continued disruptions in the supply chain.
Essex had hoped to start construction this year. Now the project's future is uncertain.
Bondy said most of the emails she's received suggest the council focus on roads and not beautification projects. Councillors have also sought input from businesses who question if now is the time to tear up the street.
However, cancelling the project comes with risks too.
"Over $600,000 we have invested into this project. If we walk away and do nothing, we've spent money, and we're getting nothing, frankly, in return," Bondy said. "We also have some grants that come along with this project, close to $1-million that we would walk away from."
A report to councillors outlines five options. The first is to go ahead with the full project. The second is to cut the work on Victoria Avenue out. The third and fourth options are to focus construction on just the downtown core, either with Victoria or not, and the fifth is to forget it entirely.
Bondy doubts councillors will want to move ahead with the project in its entirety, but she anticipates a long meeting and much discussion.