File photo/Central Alberta Online.
Lacombe City Council has approved street improvements on 49B Avenue, to enhance accessibility, looks, and safety.
The improvements are included in the City of Lacombe’s Bi-Annual Sidewalk Improvement Program and will include benches, garbage cans, and green space.
New trees will also be planted at the east end of 49B Avenue in the grassed boulevard along Highway 2A, where there is sufficient space for them to grow while minimizing impacts to infrastructure.
The new features will be in bulb-outs and located in areas where parking is not typically permitted.
The project is aimed at providing functional seating, room for waste receptacles, and slowing down traffic to improve pedestrian safety.
Photo/Google Maps.
“Council is always looking for ways to improve our pedestrian spaces while ensuring residents can continue to access our downtown in whatever way they choose,” said Mayor Grant Creasey. “These improvements add safety, and accessibility, and ensures residents and guests alike will continue to enjoy the look and feel of our downtown.”
Although parking is expected to be reduced by two to three stalls on 49B Avenue, overall downtown parking capacity will see a net increase of approximately 20 stalls from 2023 to 2025 due to other planned projects.
The improvements follow a 2023 public survey that gathered feedback from residents and business owners on downtown streetscape priorities.
Parking was ranked as a top priority, receiving 220 first place votes out of 352 responses, benches ranked second followed by garbage bins and general landscaping.
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