by Adam Gault
Rendering submitted from the Essex Free Press
The Town of Essex is currently seeking construction bids for its upcoming Harrow Streetscape Project, which will bring a number of improvements to Harrow’s downtown core.
In the works for the past two-years, and now estimated to begin in the of spring 2021, the Harrow Streetscape project will have the Town’s urban centre transformed with a number of cosmetic and modernizing improvements, such as new curbing, street lighting, bicycle racks, new landscaping, and improved sidewalks and crosswalks that will be compliant to the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act.
“It’s the largest roads project that the Town’s done since at least amalgamation, so it’s pretty exciting stuff for infrastructure for the Town and its businesses,” Essex Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, explained. “It’s going to really connect all the businesses, services; it’s going to really beautify the town.”
The Harrow Streetscape plan was approved in 2018. The Town of Essex has $5,492,018 for the completion of the Harrow Streetscape project in the 2021 Budget. This includes grants received.
This past November, the Town of Essex also announced Provincial grant funding for the project through the Rural Economic Development grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Extensive feedback from area residents and third-party architectural consultants was considered when designing the final aesthetic, which aims to emphasise Harrow’s strong agrarian roots and small-town charm with the design of the final product.
This modern, yet classic design, will ensure materials and objects used in the streetscape design will be reminiscent of wood and other farming materials, clean lines and attention to detail in the brickwork of sidewalks, and an overall design motif that will elicit an appreciation of the history of Harrow as a rural town centre.
“We’re really designing and building something that everyone wants, and will appreciate and love,” Girard said. “I think that having consultation, and allowing people to have input will make it feel more like home. It will be a really great thing when it’s done, and something we can all be proud of.”
The Town of Essex expects to award the request for tender in late winter, possibly by the end of January or early February.
Should the project remain on schedule, it is expected to be completed by Fall 2021.
In addition, the 2021 budget also includes $460,000 to begin the engineering and preliminary investigations for the Essex Centre Streetscape, Girard noted.
For a full breakdown of the Harrow Streetscape Project, visit essex.ca/HarrowStreetscape