The Terrace city council has authorized $627,000 to build a commemorative plaza and crosswalk at Greig Avenue and Sparks Street. This project,funded by city surpluses, aims to prepare the community for its 2027 centennial celebrations.
The $627,000 bet on a downtown gateway
The Terrace city council has approved a budget of $627,000 to transform the intersection of Greig Avenue and Sparks Street into a landmark entry point for the downtown core. according to the report,the funding will be drawn from the city's surplus to ensure the project remains on schedule for the city's 100th anniversary. The plan focuses on the area behind the Safeway located at the northeast corner of the intersection, aiming to link the downtown center with the Grand Trunk Pathway.
Detailed allocations within the budget reveal a mix of aesthetic and functional upgrades. The proposal includes $42,361 for a cement plaza pad and $20,000 for storyboards that will chronicle the history of Terrace. beyond the surface, the project addresses critical aging infrastructure, with $51,750 earmarked for the replacement of a corrugated steel storm sewer pipe that is nearing the end of its operational life.
Flashing beacons and the 50 km/h speed limit gap
Safety upgrades at the Greig Avenue and Sparks Street intersection include the installation of flashing pedestrian beacon lights, which are budgeted at $48,000. Ben Reinbolt, the city engineering and public works director, noted that while these lights are typically mandated for zones with speed limits of 60 kilometres per hour or higher, they are being implemented here despite a lower official limit. Greig Avenue is currently posted at 50 kilometres per hour, but Reinbolt clarified that actual traffic speeds routinely exceed that limit, necessitating the extra safety measures.
To further protect pedestrians , the plan incorporates a concrete median running through the center of Greig Avenue. This median will serve as a raised staging point, allowing people to cross one lane of traffic at a time. This design choice reflects a shift toward a mixed-use zone that balances vehicle flow with pedestrian accessibility, making the downtown entry point more approachable for residents and visitors.
Sarah Zimmerman's concerns over the $100,000 sculpture
While the budget is approved, the creative direction of the plaza remains a point of contention among city leadership. Councillor Sarah Zimmerman , who serves on the centennial advisory committee, raised questions regarding the $100,000 allocation for a sculpture and the accompanying narrative boards. Zimmerman specifically questioned whether the committee's vision for how these artistic elements should integrate would be respected in the final execution.
In response to these concerns, municipal manager Maggie Aruda explained that the current budget approval provides a necessary framework for city staff but does not lock in the final designs.. as reported by the source, Aruda emphasized that there is still ample space for the centennial advisory committee to provide input on the creative elements. This leaves a significant open question: will the final design of the $100,000 sculpture satisfy the committee's aesthetic standards,or will the council be forced to increase the budget to accommodate a more ambitious vision?
Using city surpluses to beat the 2027 deadline
The decision to use the city's runway surplus rather than seeking external grants is a strategic move to avoid bureaucratic delays. By self-funding the $627,000 project, the Terrace city council is attempting to guarantee that construction is finished before the 2027 Centennial year begins. This approach mirrors a broader trend in municipal planning where cities prioritize certainty of timing over the potential cost savings of grant funding for high-profile anniversary projects.
Councillor Dave Gordon indicated that the council remains open to increasing the budget if the centennial advisory committee presents a design that warrants more investment. With the next council sitting scheduled for late September, the city is racing to finalize a proposal that balances tangible infrastructure—like the storm sewer and pedestrian beacons—with the symbolic legacy of a century of community growth.
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