New Polson Greenway on track

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 13, 2010 7:00 PM

Plans for a new north-south transportation corridor in Vernon are moving ahead. Council has given its blessing to the Polson Greenway project, which will connect Polson Park to the Village Green Mall along 29th and 30th streets. “Other cities have gone ahead with pathways,” said Ed Stranks, engineering development manager. The improvements will include curb and gutter, sidewalk and parking on the west side, a multi-use path on the east side, water and sewer works and a landscaped boulevard on the east side. Work will be phased in over five years and council has agreed to allocate funding to complete one phase of the project each year starting in 2010 contingent on money being available in the budget. The goal is to get traffic off 32nd and 27th streets.

Some merchants in the affected area have expressed concerns about the project, including a potential loss of parking and vehicle/pedestrian conflict. “We’ve made revisions to the plans based on their comments,” said Stranks. “Most of the businesses are supportive but some businesses are not supportive. We’ve reduced the impact as much as we can.” Some merchants had also expressed concern that the project would start and ultimately not be completed because the city’s focus shifted elsewhere. However, Mayor Wayne Lippert says council’s endorsement of the five-year timeline should address those fears. “It’s wise to show it’s in there and it will be finished,” he said.

A total price tag for the greenway hasn’t been determined but there is $1.27 million allocated in the 2010 budget for phase one — 29th Street between 43rd and 46th avenues. Opposition came from Coun. Bob Spiers, who says infrastructure projects in other parts of Vernon may ultimately become a priority. “I don’t want to commit to a five-year plan. It (greenway) could eat up all of our budget dollars,” he said. However, Coun. Shawn Lee believes the city still has flexibility when it comes to infrastructure. “It’s all contingent on budget availability so we still have that ability to prioritize,” he said.