While it’s not paved with gold, local officials couldn’t hide how impressive they find Midland’s revamped main street.
During an official opening (i.e. removing the gates) of King Street Friday, Mayor Stewart Strathearn delivered high praise for the $14-million construction project that’s been talked about for years, but only really got moving into a possibility four years ago.
“This has been part of a discussion going on for two decades,” Strathearn said. “It really got things going in 2016 when a committee was formed with a goal to make this a pedestrian-friendly environment.”
The ‘big dig’ project saw Midland’s main street dug up from Yonge Street north to Bayshore Drive, to replace underground infrastructure (storm/sanitary systems, and watermains), create a new road alignment that allows for a flexible configuration along the street for parking and events, and to make the roadway completely accessible with mountable curbs and upgraded traffic signals.
And while Friday’s event occurred under a dreary November day, there was little doubt how much brighter and fresher the street now looks with wider sidewalks and a more open look.
Some finishing touches, like the planting of flowers and trees as well as the installation of benches, are slated for next spring while the barriers near the Yonge Street intersection will be removed Monday.
Strathearn said the town was able to combine a necessary project like completing infrastructure upgrades with one that creates better aesthetics and a more visually appealing downtown.
“We thank the merchants for their continued understanding and goodwill,” Strathearn said, adding the design and construction team (Arnott Construction Ltd, Tatham Engineering and Envision Tatham) did an outstanding job.
“We also want to thank our patrons who continue to support the downtown. Everybody was singing from the same sheet at the same time."
CAO David Denault said town founders also deserve a pat on the back for creating a solid downtown core that lasted more than 100 years.
“This project is one of the largest this town has ever done,” he said. "It’s not often that you can say ‘it came in on time and on budget' for a project of this magnitude."
Added Strathearn: “More importantly, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this portion of the project has been completed safely, a testament to the protocols our contractors have put in place in order to continue with this project as planned.”
