The City of Nanaimo wants to work on half a dozen ‘complete streets’ projects as it implements the new city plan, but a Wakesiah Avenue upgrade isn’t on the list for now.
The topic came up at a governance and priorities committee meeting May 8, as city councillors discussed motions related to the Reimagine Nanaimo city plan’s integrated action plan.
Coun. Tyler Brown made a motion to ask for an information report on Wakesiah Avenue infrastructure upgrade plans and timelines. He mentioned the street’s proximity to sports amenities and the downtown as reasons to prioritize work there.
“Seeing the success of Metral and especially hearing about the development interest and the investment along the corridor … I think [Wakesiah] is another area for ample opportunity for that significant level of city investment that will result in a [return on investment] that will see development where we would like to see it,” Brown said.
He said infrastructure supporting desired land use is the “bread and butter” of economic development, and suggested Wakesiah has “massive” economic development potential.
Coun. Hilary Eastmure agreed, noting that looking into street upgrades there would tie in nicely with another action plan item to work with stakeholders to explore the potential for major developments along Wakesiah and Fifth Street.
Coun. Erin Hemmens supported the motion as well, saying she was surprised that Wakesiah upgrades hadn’t been included in the draft action plan considering ongoing investments in the stadium district and the anticipated reconstruction of Nanaimo District Secondary School.
“It seems like it’s one of those hubs of the community that is growing, and I would like to have information about what our contribution is going to look like if we go forward,” she said.
Bill Sims, general manager of engineering and public works, explained that Wakesiah upgrades were pushed back because of general capital funding availability, the sense that short-term patches and fixes to the road seemed sufficient, and unknowns surrounding NDSS reconstruction.
He did suggest that Wakesiah upgrades might not be “quite as extensive” as other complete streets, because although it is part of a planned rapid transit route, it is seen as a secondary active transportation corridor complementing pathways through Buttertubs Marsh and the stadium district.
“The intent really was to build this as an active transportation corridor from about First … to Sixth, but largely within the confines of the existing cross-section,” Sims said.
Councillors were evenly divided on the motion. Mayor Leonard Krog was among those opposed, saying he couldn’t recall any correspondence from citizens asking for Wakesiah upgrades.
“I’m not sure that this is the time to be spending money or requiring staff time to prepare an information report when we have so many other, what I will call, capital necessities in front of us,” the mayor said.
Coun. Sheryl Armstrong indicated she wants assurances that emergency services are consulted before any redesign of Wakesiah, reiterating her opposition to the narrowing of Metral.
“Collision repair shops thanked me when I was in there for all the extra business they’re getting from the city for the sideswipes,” she said.
Coun. Paul Manly recused himself from the discussion because he lives half a block from Wakesiah and said he depends on the corridor.
The motion failed on a 4-4 tie vote, with Krog, Armstrong and councillors Ian Thorpe and Janice Perrino opposed.
Complete streets projects listed in the draft action plan include study and “redistribution of space” along Stewart Avenue, corridor improvements on Terminal Avenue to support a downtown transit exchange, completion of Mid-Town Gateway/Boxwood Connector road reconstruction, design work for Commercial Street, intersection improvements at Cranberry Road and the Trans-Canada Highway, and ongoing mobility improvements to sections of the old Island Highway.
READ ALSO: Work starts on Nanaimo’s next ‘complete street’ project, Fourth Street
READ ALSO: Another $1.4 million approved for Nanaimo’s Metral Drive project
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