|
The new Business Improvement Plan Committee (BIPC), headed up by
Councillor Luke Charbonneau, wants input from the community.
This first-time around community improvement plan is focusing on Port
Elgin's downtown core bordered by Market Street on the north end to
River Street and Waterloo to Bricker with a portion up to Mill Street
because of the old arena. The Committee decided to concentrate on Port
Elgin pointing out that the two downtown cores of Port Elgin and
Southampton are very distinct.
The committee is planning to hold two public meetings where ideas from
the community about specific improvements to enhance the downtown can
then be compiled. Therefore, public input is crucial to the process in
order to determine what funding/financing will be needed.
(next column)
 |
(continued)
Councillor Huber questioned if some of the funding dollars are part
of the contribution made by Smart Centres (Wal Mart) Development (they
agreed to provide $25,000 over five years). Charbonneau explained that
$30,000 had, in fact, been budgeted in the Town's 2008 budget.
A public meeting will be held October 15th at The Plex, where residents
can come forward with the aspects they would like to see improved in
Port Elgin's downtown. "The hope is," says Charbonneau, "that will
have some recommendations by year-end and for the 2009 budget. The
public will also be able to submit comment cards with their input.
|