City has big plans for King West development

As part of it master plan for the redevelopment of King St. West, the City of Sherbrooke is proposing greener, more user-friendly facilities for active transportation between Jacquescartier Boulevard and the Montcalm Bridge. While the City hasn’t chosen to bury electric wires or cut off traffic lanes, the development of shared parking lots and "gateways" for Jacquescartier Park is part of the proposition.

The presentation of the master plan, which would guide the transformations of the sector for the next 15 or 20 years, was withdrawn from the city council agenda last week, but the complete plan was posted on City of Sherbrooke website.

Included in the plan is the maintenance of the number of traffic lanes, and the width of the pavement and to keep hydro poles where they are. The installation of decorative streetlights was kept only on a small section, while the idea of decorative traffic signals has also been rejected.

The plan identifies three key intersections that may be marked with stamped concrete or paved crosswalks at Jacques-cartier Blvd, Vimy St. and Queen Victoria Blvd.

In the Cité du Parc area, the plan refers to a redevelopment of Marchant and Marcil streets, among others with the addition of a sidewalk and a pedestrian entrance to Jacques-cartier park could be created at the corner Marcil and Jacques-cartier. The median on Jacques-cartier Boulevard would be extended south of Wiggett Street.

Further east, it is suggested that a public space be established at the intersection of Vimy St, where animation activities could be held. A staircase or belvedere could mark the entrance of Jacques-cartier Park at this level.

The City would also like to carry out a study to assess the feasibility of developing a public parking lot between Ontario, Victoria, and Avila streets and public plot at the corner King West and Marcil could offer potential for the development of a flagship building.

The City is also proposing clear marking of bus stops and shelters, but this would require site revision to meet the minimum stopping lengths required. King West would also see landscaping, tree planting. The project, which is proposed in eight stages, is estimated to cost, close to $10 million.

Chantal L'espérance, district councilor for the Domaine-howard district, said the plan aims to respect citizens' ability to pay. "It could have been much more elaborate, but the addition of special streetlights and burying wires would cost several million dollars. It should be noted that none of these actions would take place overnight, but as work progresses, we will refer to this plan which we will be able to improve over time if funds are available."

L'espérance pointed out that one of the objectives was to increase the sharing of existing parking lots, even if agreements have to be reached with merchants to use their spaces outside business hours. "With the green shelters we want to make, we will also lose a few parking spaces on King Street West."

Before being adopted by the council, the document will be the subject of an information evening on August 30, at 7 p.m., at the Jacques-cartier borough office.