After some debate, Town of Essex Council has decided to go forward with a streetscaping project.
During Monday night's meeting, council debated whether to scrap the project or not, and ultimately deciding to proceed with part of the beautification project before the tender expires.
The project, which dates back almost a decade ago, includes updates to Talbot Street, from Gosfield Avenue to Maidstone Avenue and Victoria Avenue. At the start of the year, council approved $9.36-million for construction. However, contractors responded to the request for tender with estimates of around $11.8-million to over $13-million.
The majority of council feel it is best to focus the construction on the downtown core before making decisions on the entire streetscape. Council was previously advised that delaying or cancelling the project would put the town at risk of losing government grants.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley expressed his doubts on the project, calling it a "money-eating machine."
"I know this is going to come back for more money later on, and I really have a hard time accepting this," said Shepley, who reported that he spoke with several downtown business owners, some of whom he said are for it, while others are concerned the road being torn up will ruin their businesses
"I don't think it's going to be a business-destroying venture," Shepley said. "But I worry about the debt we're about to take on, and I worry about the ramifications of it."
The Town's Director of Infrastructure said that while the integrity of the roads in that area is solid, the replacement will extend the life of the infrastructure, so it should not need replacement within the lifespan of the streetscape. He recommends that
Mayor Sherry Bondy shared that she understands the decision is a big one, especially for a new council, but expressed that throwing their current investment away would be a waste of time and money that's already been put in.
"I view this as a project that we are going to pay off, it's like buying a car or buying a house, it's going to be like a mortgage payment. I think that the value is going to be there," Bondy said. "I think it's too much to throw out the window. We just have to at some point, trust the process."
During a recorded vote, council voted 6-2, with Shepley and Councillor Jason Matyi opposed, to direct the administration to write a report and develop a funding model with scenarios for council to consider in order complete the streetscape in its entirety.
"This is an estimate, the cost is going to come back higher," Shepley said ahead of the vote.
"If the tenders come back crazy astronomical, we'll discuss it again in public sessions," said Bondy.