The City of Estevan has announced that construction of the Downtown Revitalization Project will restart later in April, in hopes of wrapping up construction by mid-October.
In a press release sent by the City, they offered the following timeline:
- April 22 - Mid May - The 2025 phase of the project is scheduled to begin, with work focusing on the completion of the 1100 block, including channel drains and adjustments around key utility areas.
- Mid May - Mid July - Work on the south side of the 1200 block will be carried out in two stages, starting from the bank corner and moving westward.
- Early July - Mid September - Crews will transition to the north side of the 1200 block, beginning at the east corner near Gerry's Meats and progressing westward.
- Early September - Mid October - The final portion of work will involve the installation of bollards, tree planting, and the completion of surface finishes and pavement markings.
Much of the work that still needs to be done for the project involves sidewalk upgrades, underground infrastructure, paving, and streetscaping. Jacquelyn Massey-Rounds, the city's spokesperson, clarified that those aspects of the construction will be carried out in phases to limit disruptions to local businesses in the area.
The Downtown Revitalization Plan involved years of public consultations to plan what a refreshed downtown Estevan would look like. After public consultations and various council meetings criticizing the project, construction began on 4th Street in late March last year. Estevan residents were split on the efficacy of the project, with many seeing the use of federal grants from the Canada Coal Transition Initiative - Infrastructure fund and PrairiesCan as a point of contention. Estevan was allocated $7.75 million from the federal government to put towards the project.
Originally, the project was slated to be completed in late fall last year. However, contractors found several unknown oil contaminations and other construction issues that hindered the project. A massive flash flood in August added to the delay, with businesses and the Orpheum Theatre also suffering damage from the storm.
In the press release, the City Council and the Mayor noted they are "committed to improving the quality of life for residents while supporting a vibrant, accessible, and modern downtown". They invite the public to follow ongoing updates through the City's website and social media accounts.