Brakes put on road project

Photo: City of Vernon.

Vernon city council has delayed a street construction project in the downtown following a complaint it could hurt a local business. A special meeting will be held Friday when councillors will discuss whether to hold off on the project until the peak summer months.

The 32 Avenue project, from 27th Street to 29th Street, was supposed to begin Monday for work on utilities and the roadway.

“I'm surprised this isn't happening in July and August,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. "It's pretty disappointing.”

Although city staff has assured council buses will be able to access Beairsto Elementary during construction in April and May, Quiring said it was not good planning.

“Common sense would tell me that I would be doing this when the school's closed and when Briteland is not in the busiest time of their year.”

Coun. Scott Anderson also expressed concern for Briteland Holdings, a nursery and landscape company.

“That business owner is very concerned about the situation, understandably, and I'm concerned about whatever system we had to alert (business owners),” said Anderson.

He said the owner did not know about the project until a letter last week, followed by a public information meeting last Thursday.

Council has been warned the half-million dollar project could climb by $100,000 if it is delayed until July and August.

“Money isn't everything and I think this is going to be a bad situation,” Quiring said.

But Coun. Bob Spiers disagreed.

“We're just complicating the situation,” said Spiers. “You've got a half-million dollar project, another $100,000 is an added 20 per cent. That comes out of the taxpayer's pocket (or) in this case, it comes out of the sewer's ratepayers' pocket.

“So people will have to travel around a little bit differently. As long as we keep it open for businesses, it sounds like staff have done a great job (organizing the streets)."

Staff has been ordered to attempt to renegotiate summer construction terms with the contractor and return to council with the price tag on Friday.