Is it possible to pause the new transit exchange planned for downtown Trail?
That’s the question City Councillor Thea Hanson posed about the project that has been in the works for five years.
Hanson pointed out that the site at Cedar and Helena Streets was selected long before there was any possibility of a new retail/housing complex to replace the old Liquidation World building on Spokane St and the Old Trail Hospital on Helena St.
City Council has just awarded those demolition contracts.
Hanson is concerned the bus exchange work expected to start in the fall, will scare off potential developers of the new complex, which is vital to downtown revitalization.
“We are cart before horse,” Hanson told council.
“We have new things going in, but we’re demolishing behind it, but now are we adding construction concerns for new developers to develop that space?” Hanson questioned.
“A new building is meant to be kind of a high end, a new premier space and so does that hinder finding great tenants in those spaces, great commercial opportunities, investors?” Hanson added and she raised the possibility of looking for an alternate location.
City Manager Colin McClure told council there are several question marks about the project before a final design is struck.
They include the loss of 30 parking spaces and the city’s responsibility for the washroom facility planned for the site.
The project already has a federal government commitment of $3.7-million, which covers 80% of the cost with the city picking up the other 20%.
Mayor Colleen Jones expressed concerns about potentially losing that money.
“I would be worried about pausing that and losing the grant or losing the opportunity to do this at this time,” Jones commented.
Project consultant Danyka White told council it is unlikely Ottawa will renew bus exchange program funding and the city would be looking at a possible future 50-50 cost sharing arrangement with the province.
McClure said he would arrange a meeting with BC Transit to review the plan which is 60% complete, in addition to going over council’s concerns with transit officials.
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