Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 07/99) - Construction crews started stage two of the downtown rehabilitation project Sunday, when they began ripping up pavement on Franklin Avenue.

The project is slated to take two months to complete and has a final price tag of $1.025 million -- $825,000 for road work and $200,000 for beautification.

"The move to widen and landscape Franklin is a priority with the city," said Councillor Kevin O'Reilly.

"We've seen a shift to Frame Lake and strip development and I don't think that's healthy for our city."

Crews will be replacing all of the traffic lights, which are said to be at the end of their 25-year lifespan, as well as two fire hydrants.

The four-block strip will also be repaved for the first time in almost 20 years and the sidewalks will be widened by a metre.

The extra sidewalk space will provide room for birch trees to be planted this fall and will help clarify traffic flow during morning and evening rush hours.

"There are two lanes of traffic flowing in each direction and no parking allowed during peak hours," said City Clerk Tim Mercer.

"But the lanes are wide enough that people still park during peak hours, making three lanes out of two."

The wider sidewalks will eliminate the extra room motorists use for parking.

The birch trees, along with ornamental lampposts and benches, are part of the $200,000 beautification project.

"The beautification of the downtown is necessary for the growth, health and safety of the city's core," said Cheryl Best, executive director of the chamber of commerce.

"It will help change it from a dead place or party place into a community."

The chamber feels making downtown a friendlier and prettier place will do a lot for its re-vitalization.

The work will be completed in two parts. Currently under construction are the blocks between 51 Street and 49 Street, with the blocks between 49 Street and 47 Street to follow.

Stage one was completed last summer between 53 Street and 51 Street.