Mount Albert downtown gets revitalization boost

The town, in partnership with the province, will be implementing streetscape improvements and landscaping enhancements to the downtown core.

Yorkregion.com
July 24, 2018
Simon Martin

The corner of Main Street and Centre Street in Mount Albert is getting a facelift. The town, in partnership with the province of Ontario, will be implementing streetscape improvements and landscaping enhancements to the downtown core.

The project is beginning this week. The town recently received the funding for the project through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Main Street Revitalization Initiative which provides support for revitalization activities that benefit small businesses.

“We are very pleased to be moving forward on this project. These corners and the parking lot on Main Street are beacons that can entice visitors to the downtown core,” Mayor Virginia Hackson said. “By using these funds to upgrade these areas it is our hope that residents and visitors will be encouraged to further enjoy the space and ultimately attract future businesses and investments as part of the town’s Mount Albert Downtown Revitalization Plan.”

The project began after council directed staff to seek funding through a newly available provincial grant in May 2018. The hope was that a revitalization of the downtown area would attract residents, consumers and businesses, including a new financial institution to the main street area. The town is co-ordinating its efforts with the investments being made by DUCA Financial Services Credit Union Ltd. at their new facility.

“MAVA and the downtown revitalization committee are very excited about this project and the improvements to the downtown core,” Mount Albert Village Association chair Janet Wheeler said. 

The work will enhance the corners of Centre Street and Main Street with improvements such as updated heritage interlock, streetscape improvements including grading and widening for increased accessibility, and lowering/beautifying of the existing planters. In addition, the town will be updating the public parking lot located on the north side of Main Street, west of Centre Street. This work will include enhanced LED lighting and further improvements to the parking area.

The town acknowledged the co-ordination of the many partners who have provided input and helped to move this project forward, including OMAFRA, DUCA, the Mount Albert Village Association, and the town’s economic development advisory committee.