A committee in Lambton Shores hopes a revitalization of King Street West between Main Street and James Street will entice more people to stop in downtown Forest rather than pass by on Highway 21.
Council endorsed a one-way conversion and revitalization project in principle earlier this month, pending a final design, and agreed to spend up to $50,000 to procure engineering services.
The $50,000 will be taken from the $250,000 budget approved in 2023 to replace the sidewalk on King Street West. The initial project was "shelved" so discussions could be held with the Forest Business Improvement Area (BIA) and other community stakeholders to reimagine the scope of the project.
Proposed work would include water service replacements, storm sewer/catch basin adjustments, sidewalk and curb movement/replacement, asphalt paving, and streetlight repositioning.
A preliminary assessment of construction costs is estimated at $1 million.
"The engineering work will further refine a construction budget which could be brought forward for 2025 budget deliberations," read a staff report. "By completing engineering now, and prioritizing this project over the coming months, staff envision that this project could potentially be under construction in the spring of 2025 and complete for July of 2025."
Before council's decision on October 1, BIA member Glen Van Valkenburg presented a revitalization plan in September on behalf of a multi-group committee, which included members of the BIA, Forest Kiwanis Club, and the Forest Collective and the Garden Club.
By moving to a one-way concept, Van Valkenburg said the number of parking spaces would increase by about 10 per cent, with some angled at 45 degrees.
"As we all know, our population isn't getting any younger and being a downtown retailer, parallel parking is not their favourite thing to do," he said. "So with the 45-degree angle parking, we think that'll be a benefit."
The sidewalks could also extend up to one metre wider (in total), which Van Valkenburg said may increase pedestrian safety and allow businesses to potentially extend their patios.
"We did present this to some key players downtown that aren't involved in these three groups and it was an overwhelming, 'that's a great idea,'" he said.
Van Valkenburg also said the area could be a focal point for Forest and used for summer and seasonal activities, such as markets and events.
"We intend to hopefully close the street down on a temporary basis for a night, an afternoon, a weekend, for different events -- like the film festival," he said.
Van Valkenburg also noted that vacant properties in the area, owned by the municipality, could be used to help revitalize the downtown area.
"This is a lot. This isn't going to happen overnight, we know that," he said. "Our committee realizes this is a once in a lifetime project that will affect the viability of downtown Forest for years to come. It needs planning on our part, your part, and the community at large. It needs funding."
It was noted during the meeting that staff will be working with area clubs, including the BIA, on how to best utilize the vacant properties, adding they'll be working with Economic Development Coordinator Natalie Core who officially started working with the municipality on September 9.
Meanwhile, plans to revitalize the downtown Forest parkette were put on hold earlier this year after the municipality didn't receive funding under the My Main Street Community Activator Grant.