Fourth Street got a cultural kick-start to spring on Friday, as part of the town’s Historic Downtown Enhancement Project.
Some two dozen town staff and officials gathered for the unveiling of wrought-iron panels that now match the town’s banner, etched in the likenesses of the Men of Vision, Pioneering Women, Senator Cochrane, Chief Walking Buffalo and a CP Rail train.
“I absolutely love that main entrance feature as you come into town,” said an enthusiastic Mayor Ivan Brooker, with reference to last year’s addition of an entranceway sign at the west end of First Street West.
“Our downtown is second to none,” he added.
The project was courtesy of Okotoks-based Little Monkey Metal Works; this contractor was selected by Wilco, the construction company hired to do the downtown enhancements by the town.
Other enhancement projects to come this year include block-by-block beautifying of First Street, including landscaping, planter boxes and benches, as well as tree planting.
Suzanne Gaida, senior manager of community services for the town, said that the town will do one block at a time for minimal service disruption to area businesses.
A smaller gateway feature will be built on the north side of the railroad tracks along the east side of Fifth Avenue.
The total price tag on the revitalization project is $840,000 and was included in the 2016 operating budget.
