Beautification of Coquitlam's historic Maillardville is coming but much of the work will have to wait for the Brunette interchange project, which has yet to be approved by the provincial government.
Mayor Richard Stewart confirmed the city is still waiting to hear from the Ministry of Transportation on plans for a new road network proposed by a joint committee of Coquitlam and New Westminster councils.
"It's understandable," the mayor said of the delay in response, noting the submission to create a more efficient road network between the cities was made prior to the May provincial election and the new NDP government has had a lot of issues on its plate.
Still, it makes sense to do beautification work in tandem with the provincial project to avoid needless waste and duplication, he said. And the cost isn't known because it depends on future cost-sharing and coordination as well as negotiation with the province.
Last Monday, council endorsed the Maillardville Streetscape Guidelines that were developed in 2014 and directed staff to proceed with the option that would see any work along Brunette Avenue be done in conjunction with the provincial interchange project. A similar approach was used for the streetscape improvements that were installed during construction of the Evergreen Line extension.
It also will save money because of cost-sharing opportunities expected to arise with the interchange work. Costs of improvements were pegged at between $1.4 million and $5.6 million depending on how far the streetscaping would go, not including land costs, but this money could be wasted if not done in conjunction with the interchange project, a staff report noted.
The guidelines call for a number of improvements in areas such as the Maillardville Neighbourhood Centre, and the Allard-LeBleu and Laval Square areas, and a future processional route along Brunette. Among the ideas it discusses are elements, such as paving, trees, lighting, signs and furnishings that would be unique to each area as well as social gathering places, such as patios, and improvements to make walking safer and more pleasant.
