NEW GRIZZLY PLAZA PLAN REVEALED IN INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

Disclaimer: Melissa sits on the Grizzly Plaza Enhancement Committee as the member at large with a focus on accessibility.

City of Revelstoke public infrastructure committee members recently received an update on two ongoing projects that are likely to have the most impact on the community — Fourth Street traffic calming and Grizzly Plaza enhancement.

Plans to install permanent traffic calming bollards along Fourth Street won’t be happening this summer. Members of the city’s public infrastructure committee are recommending council extend the Fourth Street pedestrian improvement project to include active transportation and public consultation.

By Melissa Jameson

During a presentation to the committee, Steve Black, City of Revelstoke director of infrastructure and planning, said the project consultant has suggested the need for more public outreach and engagement prior to implementing permanent traffic calming solutions along the busy road to ensure community support.

“We know Fourth Street is a fast street. It’s very wide and it is difficult for people to cross, so we do need to implement some traffic calming so that the crossing distances are minimized,” said Black, noting while the current temporary bollard systems put up last year accommodate pedestrians, but not cyclists. Fourth Street is identified as a major bike route.

While the Fourth Street project will be delayed, city staff are hopeful work to upgrade Grizzly Plaza can begin later this summer. Black said staff and the project consultant have tried to take the softest touch possible while making improvements to the plaza, which is used for farmers’ markets, ArtsRevelstokes popular REVY.Live Outside concert series, and other events.

“We now have a plan we can take to the Grizzly Plaza committee, the heritage group and council for final approval,” said Black. The plan includes additional seating, more pass throughs from the parking lots to the plaza, removing some of the old wrought iron fencing, and improvements to the band shell including the addition of an accessibility ramp and acoustic enhancement.