A Streetscape Plan and Facade Improvement Guidelines are being prepared for downtown Port Elgin.
Stempski Kelly Associates has been awarded the tender for the project for almost 43 thousand dollars.
The Streetscape Plan will co-ordinate street furniture and vegetation, address accessibility, promote environmental sustainability, and foster increased public activity.
The Facade Improvement Guidelines will identify colour schemes, textures, shutters, awnings, etc for use on private businesses.
Councillor Luke Charbonneau says the goal is to make the downtown area attractive to investment and shoppers.
He adds the guidelines will also be used in any financing program for business improvements that council decides to fund.
Charbonneau says the original area for the study has been reduced because of budget constraints.
Council had hoped to cover the entire Community Improvement Area from Eugenie Street to River Street — but now only the Port Elgin Business Improvement Area from Johnston Avenue to Elgin Street will be included in this first phase.
Charbonneau stresses there will be public consultation during this process.
He says it’s critical that local businesspeople as well as the public have their say in what they’d like to see downtown.
The Streetscape Plan and Facade Improvement Guidelines are expected to be complete by the end of October.
