Enderby residents will determine how proposed upgrades to main street are funded.
City council decided Monday to proceed with an alternate approval process to borrow up to $467,000 over 20 years for revitalization of Cliff Avenue.
“I haven’t heard a lot of opposition. Most people are pretty excited about it,” said Mayor Greg McCune.
The proposal calls for enhanced traffic and pedestrian safety through a raised intersection at Cliff Avenue and Belvedere Street that doubles as a public plaza, seating, rain garden, street trees and pier-themed gateway structures.
During redevelopment, infrastructure will be replaced, including the road, sidewalks and water lines.
If 10 per cent of voters, or 238 people, sign the alternate approval process petition, the borrowing can’t proceed.
“If it does fail, we will still do the project. We will pull the money from reserves or go through taxation,” said McCune.
The total project cost is $1.8 million, with about $200,000 directly linked to beautification. The rest of the money will go towards infrastructure.
If the borrowing of $467,000 proceeds, the annual taxation impact on a house assessed at $217,120 is $20.
Publishing of the AAP notice will occur March 16 and 23 and the deadline for electoral response is April 25.
Beyond the alternative approval process, the city could have held a referendum but an AAP costs $1,200 while a referendum would be between $5,000 and $8,000.
“If we were hearing a lot of concerns, we would spend the money and go to referendum, but there are no outstanding concerns,” said McCune.
