Clearview Township CAO Stephen Sage has a green light to consult with the public about the development of a town square in Stayner.
At a Dec. 7 council meeting, Sage showed concept drawings for a downtown renewal project around town hall, stretching to Station Park and along the train trail to Centennial Park. A plan developed in-house by a former township employee includes the closure of Gideon Street to through traffic to make room for buildings and park space. Gideon Street would become a town square, possibly with a splash pad in the summer and skating in the winter.
It proposes improvements to the intersection of Highway 26 and Huron Street to make it more pedestrian friendly, and enhance trail access, a renovated visitor centre and a multi-purpose area for events and farmers’ market.
Staff has been given the go-ahead to take the drawings to the public, through information sessions, meetings with local community groups, an online survey and social media.
“Phase one has been identified from just south of the existing park area north towards Centennial Park. Perhaps Phase one will focus more on the park and less on the Kinsmen Park area, but the area to the north is relatively easy to construct and fund,” reported Sage. “It is anticipated that the significant changes to the traffic patterns will be a concern for the community. Gideon Street will be closed and both Perry and Huron Streets will have a lowered capacity upon completion of all phases.”
Council also voted to direct staff to have RJ Burnside complete a site survey of existing utilities.
The township purchased property at 220 Huron St. in 2013 at a cost of $184,000 and purchased the Perry/Gideon Street property across from town hall, in 2014 at a cost of $451,145, including related expenses.
“Included in the budget process over the past two years, there were transfers to reserve from the recreation department to be used for the possible expansion to the park,” reported Sage.
The township has $55,000 in reserves for the project but cost estimates for the overall project have not yet been calculated.
“Recently the federal government has made the necessary changes to allow gas tax funding for recreation capital projects. As a result there are numerous funding opportunities to complete the improvements,” said Sage.
Staff will report back to council with feedback from the public.