01-15-2019, 09:30 AM
Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square looks at repair costs between $7M-$9M
Quote:A plan to spend from $7 million to almost $9 million to spruce up the aging Carl Zehr Square in front of Kitchener City Hall sparked questions from some councillors Monday.
Councillors met to go over the details of the city's $99.5 million 2019 capital budget, which maps out spending for things such as land, buildings and equipment.
Councillors were presented with two plans: a $7-million plan to repair "critical infrastructure," or an $8.8-million plan that would also redesign the square and fountain.
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Repairs on the square will be paid for without raising taxes or increasing the city's debt, said Jonathan Lautenbach, Kitchener's chief financial officer. He said staff drew from several reserve funds, and will be using federal gas tax money. The city's parking division will also pay $1.5 million for the repairs to the garage that sits below the square.
Other councillors agreed that the price tag is hefty, but said the work has to be done. Water is leaking into the parking garage; the slabs paving the square are breaking and chipping, causing a risk of tripping or lawsuits; and the equipment for the ice rink and fountain is more than 25 years old.
"I think it's incredibly important that we move forward with this," said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, who said delays will increase the cost of the work. "This city hall is the heart of our community. It literally has tens of thousands of people here every year."