Today is the official day for the construction of a new Civic Square at Brantford. I wish Brantford luck, hope this will have a catalyst effect to improving their decaying downtown.
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Brantford city council approved a contract in February 2005 with G.K. York Management Services to start construction of a $22 - $24 million downtown square project. The project will be a phased development taking more than two years to complete and will redevelop a two-acre block between Dalhousie and Colborne streets. The development consists of two main elements - a public square centred around a water theme with trees and symbolic displays, and commercial developments on the east and west sides of the square.
The 1.2-acre public square will be surfaced with a colourful stone grid, interspersed with flora “pods” - arrangements of trees, shrubs and interpretive displays meant to represent the meandering flow of the Grand River. The centerpiece of the square will be a 5,000 square foot interactive water feature. It will double as an ice rink in the winter capable of accommodating 200 skaters at a time and a jet spray fountain in the summer surrounded by umbrella chairs and patio ensembles. A total of six buildings will be built around the square, including a 22,640 square foot, 27-suite boutique inn, 65 residential units of varying styles, and 22,271 square feet of space for offices, shops, a restaurant, and a day-care center.
The project represents the largest downtown development since the Market Square Mall and parkade project of the 1980's.
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Brantford city council approved a contract in February 2005 with G.K. York Management Services to start construction of a $22 - $24 million downtown square project. The project will be a phased development taking more than two years to complete and will redevelop a two-acre block between Dalhousie and Colborne streets. The development consists of two main elements - a public square centred around a water theme with trees and symbolic displays, and commercial developments on the east and west sides of the square.
The 1.2-acre public square will be surfaced with a colourful stone grid, interspersed with flora “pods” - arrangements of trees, shrubs and interpretive displays meant to represent the meandering flow of the Grand River. The centerpiece of the square will be a 5,000 square foot interactive water feature. It will double as an ice rink in the winter capable of accommodating 200 skaters at a time and a jet spray fountain in the summer surrounded by umbrella chairs and patio ensembles. A total of six buildings will be built around the square, including a 22,640 square foot, 27-suite boutique inn, 65 residential units of varying styles, and 22,271 square feet of space for offices, shops, a restaurant, and a day-care center.
The project represents the largest downtown development since the Market Square Mall and parkade project of the 1980's.