Trees outside Coquitlam city hall have been cleared as work begins on the upgrade of Buchanan Square.
When the project is complete, it will include a new membrane for the parkade and a refurbished public space, complete with a new slide.
Kathleen Vincent, Coquitlam’s manager of corporate communications, told The Tri-City News that while the construction will get fully underway this summer, the trees were cleared now in consideration of bird-nesting season.
“What you’re seeing is part of the work needed for the membrane replacement for the underground parking and the Buchanan Square project,” she said in an email, later adding: “The stumps have been retained in order to make their removal easier and more cost-effective when we proceed with the membrane replacement work.”
Planning has been underway for the Buchanan Square upgrade, which is located between city hall and the Coquitlam RCMP detachment, for a couple of years.
Last fall, planners presented renderings of the project to city council, showing new benches, swings and even a slide connecting the upper portion of the plaza to the lower square.
Staff said they wanted to make the grey, stodgy public space more vibrant, encouraging residents to come down and hang out instead of just passing through.
"[The proposal] showcases Coquitlam's inclusive and social nature," said Andre Isakov, the city's park planning and design manager, during the presentation. “The intent is to create a space that would be welcoming to everybody."
A portion of the 0.7-acre square, located between city hall and the Coquitlam RCMP detachment, doubles as the roof for a parkade below. Because the waterproofing membrane on the structure is at the end of its lifespan and has begun to crack and leak, the city intends to renovate, creating an opportune time to upgrade the public space above.
The project is expected to cost $4.3 million and be completed in the fall.
