Meaford Council has approved a $97,000 tender for engineering services in the Nelson Street Parking Lot project.
During a council meeting on March 28, a report by CAO Rob Armstrong was brought forward.
The project would see 28 Nelson Street be turned into a serviced municipal parking lot, with potential options for low impact developments, bicycle parking, opportunities for solar lights, and potential installation of a charging station for electric vehicles.
The asphalt parking lot would also feature concrete curbs and stormwater improvements.
This project follows from a previous report to council in 2018, advising of the parking lot deficit, and of the 2019 acquisition of the property.
The Meaford 2022 Transportation Services Capital Budget has set aside funding for the design and construction of the new parking lot between Cook Street and Sykes Street.
The proposal received by WT at a value of over $97,000 was over $54,000 over the set budget. Staff believe WT will work with them to develop pricing with various options in an attempt to maximize the construction budget for this project.
Several councillors spoke up in support of the project, but questioned as to why it would cost as much as it does.
Coun. Steven Bartley says, “I have a hard time believing it takes $97,000 worth of engineering for a parking lot.”
Meaford Director Of Infrastructure Services Jessica Wiley says they are not just designing the surface.
“So we are not just taking a gravel space and laying asphalt over top of it, we have to excavate and have to deal with some water and stormwater, and that also includes we are asking them to look at things that we may not choose to include as part of the construction. I think we need to start looking in the direction of low impact development, whether that is something that we want to include or not, but those types of things fit the design,” says Wiley.
Armstrong adds that since they are looking at installing an electric car charger, that adds another aspect to the overall project.
Wiley also confirms right now they do not have an estimate for how many cars would fit into the new parking lot, however, that would determined through the design process.
Coun. Paul Vickers says, “it’s great to have these ultra-modern parking lots with chargers and to have a ground that allows the water to run down through it instead of out to the waste water, and it will be greener and it will be better for the environment. The harsh reality on us, is that we have to figure out how to pay for it.”
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney asked if it would be possible to secure any grants to assist with the project.
Wiley says staff are always looking for opportunities to apply for grants, and if there is one available, they have made efforts to apply to receive funding.
The report says should the tender be awarded before April 1, it will allow sufficient time for design and construction to be completed by the end of September.
