Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper Municipal Council has selected a contractor to install water and sewer services for the Connaught Drive Affordable Apartments project.
During its May 4 regular meeting, council directed administration to enter into agreement with WSP for the detailed design and project management for the installation, with a contract value of $244,800.
鈥淚 just want to recognize the work that has been done to date (by administration),鈥� said Coun. Paul Butler.
鈥淲e really need this sort of thing done in order to afford ourselves the opportunity to build affordable housing in the future along that site.鈥�
The affordable housing project is expected to be a 40-unit apartment building, a modular construction containing 32 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom suites.
Back in March, council approved installation of utility services where the project will be located, specifically the GC, GB and GA parcels along Connaught Drive.
Municipal staff and Colliers Project Leaders solicited and evaluated three requests for proposals.
The highest evaluated submission was for WSP.
Councillors Butler and Bert Journault asked how the affordable housing project might impact the Jasper Discovery Trail and other pathways.
鈥淚 just want to ensure that the integrity of the trail is not forgotten in the design,鈥� Journault said.
John Greathead, director of operations, replied that the municipality was looking at adding infrastructure without removing any but still exploring specific design elements.
鈥淲e have had discussions about how our sidewalks are going to interconnect with our existing infrastructure, such as the pedestrian underpass and all that,鈥� Greathead said.
鈥淎s well, we are really aiming for the proper feel and aesthetics through this design.鈥�
The goal is to complete installation of water and sewer services in 2021.
Other highlights
Council appointed Patrick Harvey to the culture and recreation board after a member resigned due to scheduling conflicts.
Applicants from the last recruitment cycle were called upon to see if they were still interested in serving on the board, and the applications of those interested were forwarded to council鈥檚 Human resources committee for review and recommendation.
Harvey鈥檚 term commences immediately and goes until the end of 2023. Council also heard from the Metrix Group regarding an audit overview and then the Jasper Municipal Library Board on its annual financial review
