The City of Delta is hoping to get federal financial help to help create a new outdoor public plaza at the entrance to Ladner Village.
At its July 12th meeting, council agreed with a staff recommendation to apply to the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for $200,000 that would be used for the Stokes and Cullis Public Plaza Project.
A staff report notes the CCRF aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the purpose of the program is to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities.
CCRF will fund up to 75 percent of eligible costs and, if successful, Delta's contribution to the project would end up being $50,000.
The city earlier this year submitted an application for funding of $200,000 to Canada's Healthy Communities Grant program to fund the project, but that application had no luck.
Work has already begun on the partial demolition and renovation of an existing commercial building at the site where Delta plans to add the new plaza.
The heritage look of the structure will be restored with a later addition being removed and restoration of the original building.
Council agreed the city should enter into a statutory right of way agreement with the owner, the Lowe family, to allow the development of the plaza over a portion of the property where the addition is being removed.
The Lowes have offered Delta a public right of way for use of the area at the cost of $1, an earlier report notes.
That report also notes that Ladner Village has always been a special place, recognized as a jewel that many like to visit for its historic roots, quaint shopping, and connections to the fishing and farming community.
“The Lowes' family commitment to the revitalization of the historic Stokes and Cullis building adds to Delta's Foundation for the Future. The introduction of a public plaza at this prominent location will welcome visitors and locals alike to this special village shopping experience, supporting the Community Economic Sustainability pillar. A vibrant plaza at this corner not only welcomes people to the community, it provides for a social and recreation gathering space supporting the Recreation and Community pillar,” the report adds.
City staff have already prepared concept plans for the new plaza that includes oversized, boldly coloured planters to act as a visual anchor to welcome people into the village.
One of the planters would be higher and ringed with wooden seating, while a lower planter's edge would provide additional seating.
The planters could be illuminated in the evening.
