Revitalization pushed back a year for Ste. Anne de Bellevue

As Ste. Anne de Bellevue and Île Perrot locals steel themselves for what will surely be an inconvenient summer when workers begin next week demolishing parts of the more than 80 year-old Galipeault Bridge in preparation for its eventual rebuilding, Ste. Anne de Bellevue officials say they’ve delayed plans to tear up the downtown core and revitalize that area.

Work that was expected to begin as early as this fall on a three phase project has been delayed until autumn 2009.

The job will include replacing main pipe lines including water and sewage, from Pacific to Maple streets.

Mayor Bill Tierney said the town has pushed its waterfront revitalization plans back a year in order to explore all possibilities and come up with an end result that’s more organic and coherent.

The overall revitalization project has been put off since 1998, Tierney said, adding that a long standing question which centred on burying above ground cables has finally been rejected.

“It looks more and more unlikely,” Tierney said. “We’ve abandoned that idea and are strictly talking about revitalization.”

A revitalization plan could include wider sidewalks able to accommodate outdoor café tables, additional signage, and walkovers.

“We’re trying to make the walk along the street more like a circuit that will have a flow,” noted the mayor.

All ideas are currently being discussed by members of the town council as part of a vision plan.

“This is a one shot deal we might as well do it properly,” said Tierney of the estimated $3.5 million to $4 million revitalization much of which will be paid with funds generated by a new parking meter plan.

He added that there is no shortage of ideas focusing on how and what to do to improve the downtown core, while officials want to be sure to focus on the most effective changes.

Work will be scheduled to as to have as little effect as possible on the town’s tourist trade, which is busiest in summer.

"It’s complicated and it’s an upheaval for people but the end product will be fabulous," said Tierney. "Ste. Anne will be the Monaco of Quebec when we’re done."