Municipality of Bluewater Bayfield Main Street Revitilization Virtual Public Meeting Wednesday September 2, 2020 1
Agenda Introduction Background Design Components Engineering Drawings Components for Public Input Implementation Timeframe Next Steps 2
Project Study Area 3
Background August 2013: Project Initiated in Conjunction with Bayfield Stormwater Master Plan Process Fall 2013: Project Advisory Team (PAT) Committee formed to assist with design of project 2014 - 2015: Seven PAT meetings held between February 2014 and October 2015 June 2014: First Public Meeting Held Oct. 2015: Preliminary Design Concept Finalized Oct. 2016: Second Public Meeting Held 2019: Phasing Approach Developed 2020/21: Implementation 4
Historic Main Street 5
Current Appearance 6
Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, (2005) Municipalities to be in compliance by January 1, 2016 Sandra Thompson (Huron County Accessibility Advisory Committee, HCAAC) General Practices Grades Less than 5% for sidewalks and parking Colour Contrast Firm, stable and slip-resistant surfaces. Firm surfaces resist indentations when walked or wheeled on. Stable surfaces return to their original condition once walking or wheel pressure has been removed. Accessible Parking 7
Accessibility Concerns Note Yellow Paint Identifying Tripping Hazard 8
Drainage Issues • Issues with ponding water after rainfall events • Walkway surfaces are uneven, difficult to traverse with walkers/ buggies/wheel chairs • Walkways muddy in the spring and fall/winter • Multiple surfaces provide no consistency/vision for the streetscape 9
Drainage Improvements Subsurface Drainage to be provide along both sides of Main Street Drainage system will be connected to existing storm sewers on Catherine Street, discharging to Lake Huron at Delevan Street storm drainage outlet Infiltration Basins installed to provide water quality component as well as design feature When road is reconstructed, drainage will be directed toward inlets located adjacent to the roadway 10
Infiltration Basins • Drainage is directed to basins constructed within the boulevard • Runoff is filtered as it absorbed through filter media and plant material • Excess runoff is directed to storm sewer system • Some maintenance required to clean out debris and ensure access points are not blocked • Improves water quality of storm water runoff and filters out contaminants 11
Tree Canopy A tree health assessment was completed in 2015 by Martin Quinn, from the Town of Goderich The report identified the species, ranked the condition and age of each tree and described some problems he found. Recommendations from the report will be incorporated into the design. Design of parking areas and infiltration basins will minimize impacts to existing trees as much as feasible. Measures will be implemented during construction to protect the existing trees from construction-related damage. 12
Other Design Elements Waste and Recycling Bins Seating Areas Design elements that are currently present within the existing heritage streetscape will be incorporated into the new design 13
Components Needing Public Input 14
Sidewalks SIDEWALK MATERIAL – Several options are being considered for sidewalks. Option 1 would use exposed aggregate concrete (Decorative concrete with an exposed aggregate surface) #1 New sidewalk alignment to incorporate a meandering path as shown on the drawings 15
Sidewalks SIDEWALK MATERIAL – Option 2 would use stone dust with a brick edging; Option 3 is paving stones; Option 4 is stamped concrete #2 #3 #4 In order to meet AODA guidelines, the sidewalk surface must have a firm, stable and slip resistant surface. Stone dust pathways require regular maintenance in order to meet these guidelines. They are often uneven and muddy following rainfall events. 16
Hydro Servicing Hydro Servicing is currently provided via overhead poles and wires, which has led to conflicts with the tree canopy, but has provided a base for the street lights The original Main Street Reconstruction Plan proposed to bury the hydro on the south side of Main Street but maintain overhead lines to the north Council is considering burying hydro lines on both sides Main St. Costs to bury hydro on both sides of the road are significant ($600,000), however grants may be available to help with costs A decision needs to be made quickly so that buried hydro infrastructure can be incorporated into existing engineering drawings for Main Street A design would still be needed from Hydro, which could delay the start of the project. 17
Lighting Some input has been received indicating that existing lighting fixtures should not be upgraded. Existing light fixtures are difficult to maintain and do not conform to Bluewater’s policies regarding ‘Dark Sky’ and use of energy efficient LED bulbs Lights are currently attached to hydro poles, which could be removed if hydro upgrades are implemented. New fixtures can be sourced that resemble the former historic lighting, are more energy-efficient and easier to maintain 18
Lighting Options Existing Lighting Pedestal Style Lantern Style 19
Proposed Design Drawings 20
Catherine Street 21
Catherine to Charles 22
Charles Street 23
Clan Gregor Square Intersection 24
Next Steps – Public Input Bluewater Council is seeking input from residents on three components of the project’s design features 1) Hydro Service – Bury Hydro on South Side Only 1) Bury Hydro on Both Sides of Main Street 2) 2) Lighting Reuse existing lighting fixtures 1) Source new lighting that resembles existing (pedestal or lantern 2) style) 3) Sidewalk Design – Four Options are being Considered Exposed Aggregate 1) Stone Dust 2) Paving Stones 3) Stamped Concrete 4) 25
Next Steps - Implementation Council needs your input prior to 2 PM on September 3 rd . A report summarizing the feedback received will provided to Council. An application has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for approval of the stormwater drainage component. Once Council reaches a decision on the design elements, and the drawings updated to reflect the final decisions, the project can be tendered for construction. Construction will be phased in order to avoid the peak summer period and minimize impacts to the downtown business owners. Timing for construction will be dependent on contractor availability, decisions related to final design elements, as well as receipt of Provincial approvals. 26
Provide input by submitting your comments to kvader@bmross.net 27
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