Executive Reconsiders Cast Iron Work In Business Areas In-Camera
It has already been approved but on Monday evening Executive Committee met behind closed doors to re-discuss whether or not to approve replacing two major sections of cast iron water main in 2020.
The two sections discussed were on Fairford Street East and High Street West. Both sections of the proposed project would go through major business sections.
The two sections discussed were:
- Fairford Street East from Main Street to 2nd Avenue NE totalling 360 meters
- High Street West from Main Street to 3rd Avenue NW totalling 540 meters.
The Fairford Street project would run in front of Casino Moose Jaw and Temple Gardens Mineral Spa.
Whereas the High Street project would run in front of many small businesses from Main Street to the intersection of High Street and Third Ave NW near the Royal Canadian Legion.
Councillor Heather Eby said she supported the work because it needed to be done and would result in long stretches of cast iron water mains replaced.
“It’s not that I want to see High Street and Fairford Street impacted but I want to see the work completed,” Councillor Eby said.
“I believe Administration and those who did the work in the past have learnt their lessons,” she said. “It’s not that I think it is ideal, it will be ideal to have those long sections replaced.”
Controversy erupted regarding Phase Two of cast iron water main replacement when the job which was suppose to take a couple of months stretched into many months of construction having devastating effects upon High Street W businesses from 3rd Avenue NW to 9th Avenue NW.
The “High Street Fiasco” as it was called by area merchants saw the stretch of road awarded the dubious honour of being named the worst road in Saskatchewan in a Saskatchewan Automobile Association on-line poll. The City of Moose Jaw removed the contractor Ungar Construction from Theodore, Saskatchewan and completed the road on their own. Ungar disagreed with the move and the matter is now before the courts.
The City of Moose Jaw was also in the running for the Red Tape Award by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for how they handled the businesses on High Street and theor refusal to provide any form of compensation. The reason given at the time is it would set a precedent the City could not afford.
Several High Street W merchants have spoken to MJ Independent off the record expressing their concerns about the potential impact Phase Five could have on their businesses.
Executive Committe voted 6 - 1 to approve the work with Councillor Brian Swanson being the lone council member opposed.