Study stalls IBR construction

By Rick Vanderlinde Innisfil Journal Jan 28, 2011
INNISFIL — Streetscape construction on a crucial section of Innsifil Beach Road will be stalled so the experts can have a critical look at the design and costs.
Council to complete a “value study” on the $7.2 million project to address concerns about centre medians and amenities such as planters, benches and streetlights.
Coun. Ken Simpson called for the review to make sure the new council had an opportunity to understand the ramifications of the project.
“I’m wondering if council is quite prepared to approve something when they haven’t really seen the details of this project,” Simpson said. “Council should be informed, to make a decision on an item that’s going to cost over $7 million. There is public concern about the design of the project.”
The value study will cost about $15,000 and should be completed by summer, infrastructure director Jim Zimmerman said.
“The intent would be to reduce costs, improve the look and feel of construction, and produce a better product,” he said.
Zimmerman said the study should not stop the entire IBR project from being completed in 2013 as originally planned.
Coun. Doug Lougheed said the three-month hiatus would also give IBR businesses “a bit of breather” from construction, which has impacted sales.
“I don’t think the intent is, in any way, shape or form, to put a kibosh on the project,” he said. “Innisfil Beach Road needs to be done. It’s always prudent to look at this and evaluate it based on what we’re going to do down the road.”
Once the study is complete, council will decide if the design for the next phase should match the streetscape that has already been upgraded between St. John’s and Innisfil Beach Park.
Last October’s election brought out resident complaints about the cost and design, particularly the single-lane road with centre medians.
But others have been lobbying to stay the course and ensure the rest of IBR gets the same treatment as the first phase.
Rick Ellis, of the Alcona Business Association, told council last week it’s the wrong time to be cutting back on an urbanization plan designed to make Alcona Innisfil’s destination point.
“We believe in being proactive with the community, not reactive,” Ellis said.
“If you take away the cosmetic portions of the project, this is the wrong decision and time. The downtown vision is crucial for the future of Innisfil as a place of destination and growth,” he said.
Coun. Rod Boynton, a strong proponent of the plan, agreed with having a second look at the next section as long as the entire project meets its original 2013 deadline.
“It is a road that’s going to pay dividends in the future, in development charges, taxes and jobs,” he said. “We have a new council that does not know the history to this project, how long it’s gone on, or what’s gone into it.”
Coun. Lynn Dollin, who made several attempts to scale back the design during the last term of council, was pleased her new colleagues voted for the value study.
“I would be extremely disappointed with the new councillors if they threw their hands in the air to spend $7 million that will put our roads development charges in a deficit of $13 million at the end of this year, without a second thought,” she said.
Dollin added the last council wanted the project completed as quickly as possible.
“Let’s face it, (IBR) was fast tracked; it wasn’t about how much it would cost, it was about how fast we could do it. I’m OK with this.”
A $7.2 million budget was conditionally approved for the next section of IBR, pending on the results of the study.