1) Renovation of 14 Street Lamps in the Downtown Area: In 2001, the Hearst Downtown renovated 12 street lamps in the Downtown area.  This work was financed entirely by the Hearst Downtown, at the cost of $6,900 ($575 per unit) + taxes. The Hearst Downtown had asked the municipality to finance, as a special project, the renovation of the remaining 14 street lamps.  The municipality refused, stating budget restrictions.  The Hearst Downtown therefore asks that the municipality undertake the renovation of the remaining 14 street lamps in the Downtown area, at its expense, in 2002.  The municipality, in cooperation with its Public Works Department, could do this kind of work at a lesser cost than the Hearst Downtown could.   This has been emphasized many times by some executive members during a meeting with the town councillors last October.

2) Installation of Flowers: Install flower pots at each street lamp (20 to 37 pots).  The cost for one galvanised steel pot is approximately $40 to $50.  This projet will require maintenance all summer long (watering), this could be done by the Municipality's maintenance team. 

3) Ashtrays Outside: Install ashtrays outside near garbage cans and/or street lamps.  These installations will require regular maintenance, this could be done by the Municipality's maintenance team.  Cost of this project is still unknown. 

4) Bicycle Stand: Install a bycicle stand at the municipal parking lot.  Estimated cost is $500.  This project will be financed out of the municipal parking operating budget.

5) Patios Downtown: One executive member, while on vacation in Rouyn, saw patios installed on the sidewalks of the downtown area.  He suggested that the same type of installation be done for the Hearst Downtown (photos of the town of Rouyn)  The Municipality's portion of this project would be the installation of a sidewalk 1.5 metres wide by 2 or 3 parking spaces long, in order to surround the patio.  The Town of Rouyn paid approximately $2,825 to install a pretreated wood sidewalk over 2 parking spaces.  The owner of each patio is responsible for the costs of a security fence surrounding the patio and all other installations.  The Municipality could also adopt a by-law in order to insure that these patios stay within the norm.  A patio could be installed this year as one business in the Downtown area is interested in the project. 

6) Suggestions from members during the 2001 annual meeting: Install two maps detailing interesting sites in the community, one at the Tourist Center and the other downtown.
 

SPECIAL PROJECTS:

1) Christmas Decorations:  The Downtown Christmas decorations are 20 years old.  They will soon need to be changed.  Such an expense cannot be done without the help of the Municipality.  Presently, a Municipal resolution states that Christmas decorations have to be financed entirely by the Hearst Downtown.  We ask that the Municipality revise this policy and consider financing up to 90% of these decorations.  In 2002, the Hearst Downtown is ready to contribute $2000.  BIA members and businesses in the Downtown Area are already making a considerable effort to decorate their business, outside and inside, each year, and this, for the benifit of the whole community.  Furthermore, with the reflection of Highway 11 and the installation of new street lamps along Front Street, there is an opportunity to install a series of lighted decorations that would create a beautiful scenery.

NOTES

The maintenance work mentioned above could be included in the Municipality's maintenance contract, contracted out each year, for the maintenance of trees and shrubs in the Downtown area.  We would have to determine which of the two options is more economical.

This list of priorities has been approved by resolution during the regular meeting of the Centre-Ville Hearst Downtown Executive Committee, on February 7th, 2002.