City councilors got their first big-picture look at Woodstock’s 2024 capital budget.
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Presented at Thursday’s council meeting, the overview of the roughly $37.8-million capital budget presented a breakdown of the work planned in the coming months. Approximately 72 per cent of the proposed budget is earmarked for the maintenance or replacement of “existing capital assets,” city officials said, while 28 per cent will be dedicated to new or growth-related projects.
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Significant work planned for 2024 includes sewer and water work that’s being done in conjunction with some city road improvements that’s being financed through Oxford County’s sewer and water rates. Other work planned for the year are the public works office expansion, the downtown streetscape revitalization and the development of several park projects.
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During the overview, councilors were also presented with a list of projects tentatively planned for 2025 through to 2028.
Council will review the capital budget, and learn more about the projects and spending, during a Tuesday, Nov. 21, meeting. Based on the information presented, advisors may suggest changes or tweaks to the proposed budget. The capital budget is scheduled for a final approval at council’s Dec. 14 meeting.
Holiday parking
Christmas shoppers in Woodstock’s downtown will have a little extra time to browse city retailers.
Council approved a request from the Downtown Woodstock Business Improvement Area to extend free parking in the core from two to three ours during the holiday season.
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While visitors can typically park for free for two hours on city streets and short-term lots in the downtown, council’s decision adds an extra hour from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31.
Visitors, though, will still have to pay for parking in the city’s pay-and-display lots.
Participating downtown businesses will also be offering extended hours on Thursday, Nov. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 21, as part of the Downtown Shopping Nights initiative. A list of participating stores can be found online at www.downtownwoodstock.ca.
Art gallery reno
City council approved a funding contribution agreement with the federal government for the renovation of the Woodstock Art Gallery’s underused fourth floor.
The federal government has committed $940,740 to the project through its Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The city will kick in another $235,000 from its capital projects reserve for the renovations.
Currently vacant, the fourth floor will become a flexible multi-purpose space through the renovations, providing “additional revenue-generating opportunities” through educational programming, commentary and facility rentals.”
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