Town News
CIVIC SQUARE COMPATIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 07 June 2023 14:01
June 07, 2023
The Town has issued an Request for Proposals (RFP) to re-design our Civic Square. The design will be compatible with the surrounding historic fabric and create a barrier-free, accessible and inclusionary public outdoor space for all to enjoy.
Civic Square is located within the Old Town World Heritage Site. It is a significant character-defining element within its Statement of Universal Value and National Historic Site Statement of Significance. Any development proposal must preserve Civic Square’s heritage value in line with these formal recognitions.
Public engagement is a key part of this process. Three design proposals will be chosen by staff and then presented to the public for feedback before making a recommendation to Council.
Parks Canada, our liaison to UNESCO will also be notified of design proposals. Designs will not affect our UNESCO status. Rules and regulations for designs are clearly stated in the RFP.
DESIGN HIGLIGHTS
- Restoration of the Bandstand, bringing the structure up to accessibility standards
- Rehabilitation of all three monuments – the Cenotaph, LVFD Monument, and UNESCO Monument – bringing them up to accessibility standards
- Rehabilitated Town Hall (119 Cumberland) entrances, bringing them up to accessibility standards while adhering to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
- Improved access and pedestrian circulation throughout Civic Square
- Hard and soft landscaping designs, including consistent ground surfaces, stairs, ramps, railings, and other elements towards creating a unified and accessible space
At least one (1) of the three (3) development schemes must include one of these options:
- Siting for a new public building (design not included in this RFP)
- An amphitheatre with a focus towards the Bandstand
- A play structure – a playground
- A Pride crosswalk
- Parking, ideally underground parking.
COST
- Costs are as yet, unknown. Cost estimates will accompany the design proposals and will be part of the information available during the public engagement process. Council will then decide to award the tender and costs associated.
- Funding for the development of the design came from the 2023 approved Capital Budget.
- Funding for the actual development will, upon Council’s approval, will come from the 2024-25 Capital Budget.
- We have much work to do within the Town of Lunenburg. This is a combination of operating and capital works. As we better understand the capital costs with associated planning RFP’s we’ll prioritize that work accordingly for Council approval through the budgetary process. The intent is to identify the ways and means of making Lunenburg more accessible in keeping with the provincial direction to make Nova Scotia fully accessible by 2030. Creating an accessible civic square is one step closer to making this a reality.
To read the full version of the RFP, please visit:
https://townoflunenburg.ca/finance/purchasing-1/1408-tol2023009/file.html
Town of Lunenburg Approved 2023/24 Budget
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 09 May 2023 21:00
May 9, 2023 -- Lunenburg Town Council unanimously approved the 2023/24 Town Budget at their May 9th Council Meeting.
The total Operating Budget is $9,902,620 and Water Operating Budget is $1,718,500. This represents an increase of 13.8% and 8.38% respectively.
HIGHLIGHTS
- There is no increase to the residential tax rate, which remains at $1.376 per $100/assessment.
- The commercial tax rate remains unchanged at $3.358 per $100/assessment.
- Lunenburg has increased the Low-Income Property Tax Relief income amounts which will allow more families to apply to help offset the cost of higher assessments.
- The Mandatory Municipal Education Tax and the cost of RCMP services have both increased by 10.1%. Together, they account for 21.3% of the Town’s Operating Budget.
- The Town will undertake an updated parking and traffic study that will incorporate a review of Active Transportation
- Funds have been allocated in the amount of $50,000 to hire a consultant to undertake an Economic Impact Study/Analysis for the town, however, spending these funds is contingent upon receiving $50,000 worth of matching funds provided by non-town sources with at least $10,000 coming from every partner of the study.
- Funding has been allocated for the Blockhouse Hill Development Proposal that will include a residential concept proposal for development of the land.
- A primary Recreation Plan will be undertaken this fiscal year to evaluate the recreational services and facilities located in the Town of Lunenburg.
- Sewer rates have increased by 7.5% which is the NS CPI for 2022. These funds pay for operating the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Distribution system, including debt payments and reserve transfers.
The 2023/24 Town Budget is publicly available for download at the Town website: https://townoflunenburg.ca/council-2023/council-agenda-packages-2023/1373-05-09-2023-council-agenda/file.html
For more information, please contact:
Jamie Doyle, CAO
Town of Lunenburg
902-634-4410, ext. 228
FACT SHEET: New Wastewater Infrastructure for Lunenburg
- Details
- Published: Monday, 13 March 2023 11:13
The Town of Lunenburg will receive over seven million dollars in wastewater infrastructure funding from the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
FAQ: Blockhouse Hill RFP and Land Divestiture Process
- Details
- Published: Friday, 24 February 2023 17:20
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Blockhouse Hill RFP and Land Divestiture Process Clarifications
To download this FAQ as a PDF, click
pdf
here
(342 KB)
.
Why are we doing this? Why can’t we just leave it for the animals and have a nice piece of nature?
The Town has three tools to generate revenue to help offset capital costs; raise taxes, cut services or generate a revenue stream, such as selling land. As we’ve all seen in our own lives, expenses are on the rise and the Town is working to find solutions that won’t put more pressure on residents.
Our best available land to sell is Blockhouse Hill. By readying these lands for development using a Request for Proposals (RFP) we have a say into what is eventually constructed on that site.
FACT SHEET 1: Blockhouse Hill - Feb 13, 2023
- Details
- Published: Monday, 13 February 2023 12:39
Potential Sale of Lands – Blockhouse Hill
February 13, 2023 – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued last week to obtain development concept proposals for the lands on Blockhouse Hill. The Town is looking to divest ownership of the lands into private hands for a mixed-use residential development with a balance of affordable and accessible units.
Blockhouse Hill consists of roughly 22.53 acres adjacent to Old Town Lunenburg, sloping towards Lunenburg’s Back Harbour. The properties are known as PID 60057015, PID 60057007, PID 60056991, PID 60056892, PID 60056900 and PID 60671427 and are marked on the map below. The land is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Buffer area.
*NEW* Council Highlights Page
- Details
- Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 12:05
1st Issue for Jan 24, 2023 Council Meeting
Welcome to Council Highlights, a concise digest of newsworthy decisions and issues from Town of Lunenburg Council meetings that will be posted to the Town website the day after*. Please visit: https://townoflunenburg.ca/council-highlights.html
For a more detailed account of Council meetings check Council agendas and minutes on the website here: https://townoflunenburg.ca/council-2023.html
*There may be occasions when it takes longer than the next day. We will do our best.