A proposed town square, including green space and a clock at the intersection of Marine Avenue and Alberni Street is currently a dead item, according to City of Powell River councillor CaroleAnn Leishman. But Leishman said she thinks there is a way to revive the unfinished business.
“I recommend a simplified tender document because the previous tender document was so ridiculous,” she added. “It was completely out of scope for this type of work.”
Powell River Community Forest [PRCF] had been asked to provide funds to cover requirements of additional works and services to the corner property, which is owned by the city. “Currently, PRCF has approved approximately $117,000 and gave a separate $20,000 to the Marine Avenue Business Association for the clock,” said Leishman. She added that funds have been approved but the planning department needs direction to redo a request for proposals (RFP) and start over again on a project that was first proposed by MABA in 2011.
The plan then was for a mixed-use area with some parking, surrounded by green space, benches for sitting and a location for the clock on the northwest corner of the lot.
“Let’s just put out a simplified request for proposals and ask the applicants to make suggestions of how we can bring this in under our budget,” said Leishman. “We have a set budget from Community Forest.”
RFPs call for companies to submit proposals and financial bids on the completion of a project. In this case, it’s $117,000.
