Work begins on new Waterloo Row water treatment plant
Out with the old | First phase of project expected to cost $2 million; plant to be commissioned in 2008
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
Published Thursday July 12th, 2007
Appeared on page A4
City water and sewer crews are demolishing the former Waterloo Row service station as part of the preliminary site preparation work for a new water treatment plant.
"We'll go to tender soon with a site works package to develop the site," said Bruce Baird, assistant director of engineering and public works.
A second contract will be issued by late summer or early fall for the construction of the building, Baird said.
The city purchased the property for $285,000 from its owners because of its proximity to its new well field in the downtown west end.
The first phase of the project in 2007 is expected to cost $2 million and the city will use a red-brick finish on its exterior, hoping to mimic the heritage of its historic water treatment plant at the foot of Smythe Street.
The city hopes to commission brick-laying work before the winter.
Installation of equipment and the commission of the plant have a 2008 deadline.
ADI Ltd. designed the proposed 1,130-square-metre facility and Daniel K. Glenn Ltd. will do the landscape design.
Heritage Trust and Waterloo Row-area neighbours of the development had mixed feelings about the plan.
At a May public meeting, Heritage Trust members weren't thrilled with the design.
A few residents said a water treatment plant is an industrial structure that doesn't fit a residential neighbourhood.
Others wanted the former service-station property turned into a park, while some residents said the city should have bargained with the University of New Brunswick to redevelop part of UNB's University Avenue parking lot for the treatment plant.
The city has countered that the former service-station site is the best location due to its proximity to wells that supply Fredericton's drinking water and that it has chosen a heritage-style design for the development.