Robinson St. bridge faces uncertain future
Council Notebook: Public ceremony scheduled to swear-in new city council
The writing is on the wall for the old Robinson Street bridge that runs across the former CP rail line, between the IMAX Theatre and Skylon Tower.
On Tuesday night, city council approved funding for an engineering study to look into removing the bridge and agreed to consider funding demolition in next year’s budget.
City staff have monitored the bridge condition and reported “substantial work may be required very soon in order to extend its service life for another 25 years.”
But there’s no longer a need for a bridge over the former rail line so the land should be restored to its original grade, the Municipal Works department said in a report.
The bridge was built in 1976. The cost to remove it and regrade the land is estimated at $1 million to $1.5 million.
SWEARING-IN SET FOR DEC. 10
A new date has been set for the ceremony to inaugurate the new city council.
The mayor and eight councillors, including newly elected members Lori Lococo and Chris Dabrowski, will take the oath of office Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in a public event at the Gale Centre.
Justice of the peace Bruce Phillips will swear-in council. After that, Mayor Jim Diodati will give an inaugural address, followed by a light reception.
The new council’s four-year term ends in 2022. After the Dec. 10 swearing-in, they’ll get right down to business with their first official council meeting the following night, Dec. 11 at city hall starting at 5 p.m.
The inauguration ceremony had previously been scheduled for earlier in December.
CONDOS OR APARTMENTS
So, it turns out the city receives less property tax from a site that houses individually owned condo units than it would from a similar-sized building with rented apartments.
The subject came up at Tuesday’s city council meeting during a discussion for approval of a condominium plan for 7711 Green Vista Gate, where a 10storey, 150-unit tower is under construction.
The developer, Upper Vista Niagara Falls Development Corp., wants to divide the building so the units can be purchased individually rather than rented as apartments.
City chief administrative officer Ken Todd told council it’s favourable to the owner to have the building assessed as a condominium rather than apartment.
“That’s good to know for the future,” said Mayor Jim Diodati, after council approved the proposal.
REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, COME ON DOWN
Councillors invited the city’s three elected representatives on Niagara regional council to come to city hall for a meeting.
Region and city councils are ready to start their new four-year terms, and both include new members – Barbara Greenwood and Peter Nicholson join incumbent Bob Gale at the Region, while Chris Dabrowski and Lori Lococo are newcomers on city council.
City council wants to hear more about upcoming major projects being planned by the Region, including upgrades to sewage control for Chippawa. Mayor Jim Diodati also sits on regional council as a city representative.
Gord Howard,
The Niagara Falls Review