continued from p.1 An amphitheatre would be established behind the library's present location and a multi-use flexible space for markets and concerts would be set up in front of the library on Navy Street. The firehall to the north of this site, which is moving to the Oakville Arena area, would be redeveloped into a 12-storey residential building and the current Oakville Centre property would be redeveloped into an eight-storey, residential/ mixed use group of buildings. The plan also provides 334 parking spaces -- more than the 307 required. This 337,000-square-foot project features a net capital cost of $126 million-$163 million and an operating cost of $7.9 million. Town staff prefers it as it provides new highquality facilities that meet current and projected needs; has revenue potential from residential development; better opportunities for revenue generation; and, dispersed cultural facilities, which are expected to share reinvestment benefits across the downtown, among other things. Town staff say it's a long-term project, expected to take 20 years or more to implement, and are still looking for resident feedback. With the DCH study underway since late 2013, Town staff say this option best reflects the feedback to date. "The vast majority of input has been driving us towards this more dispersed, rather than concentrated at one end, model," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "The folks who make their living in downtown and depend upon its vitality, I think, started the idea of `Why put it all in one end?'... Ultimately, this work is all based on the idea that A: We have to renew these things eventually anyway, so how shall we renew them? and B: How can we make the place attract more people, more often? We went out asking people those questions and what you have now got in front of the public is a synthesis of all that input." Burton estimated as many as 2,000 people have weighed in on this project so far. Since the unveiling of the options in June, Burton said the response has still been overwhelmingly positive for the third option. That said, there have been some concerns. During the June meeting, some residents were upset about land in the downtown potentially being sold off for residential development. Town seeks reaction, residents want more information will allow Oakville to better compete for audiences and attract larger performers and acts. The Downtown Oakville BIA weighed in on the DCH options picking Town staff's preferred option as their favourite. "We're excited to see this new cultural hub being built and look forward to them breaking ground and getting this completed in a timely fashion," said Sharlene Plewman, Downtown Oakville BIA executive director. "This should bring some greater activity and increase the amount of reasons for people to enjoy downtown as a new cultural hub." The Oakville Chamber of Commerce, which has members in the downtown, declined comment, stating it requires more information. "We are actually waiting to see the detailed plans and the costing," said John Sawyer, chamber president. "We felt it wasn't appropriate to make a decision until we see what the impact would be." He said the chamber needs clear information about the project's financing. The Joshua Creek, Chartwell Maple Grove, Oakville Lakeside and Trafalgar Chartwell residents' associations declined to comment on the options at this time stating they are seeking resident feedback. For more information, or to see the DCH options, visit www.oakville.ca. Town's staff's preferred option for the DCH is expected to come before council at some point in October. An exact date has not been set. 3 | Friday, September 11, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Downtown Oakville is on the cusp of change... the Town of Oakville is eyeing whole scale change and residents are loathe to register reaction as they ask for more information. | Oakville Beaver file photo Burton emphasized the land doesn't have to be sold for it to be used for this purpose with lease and rental options also available. He noted one of the things the downtown needs is more residents. In a letter to the editor to the Oakville Beaver , a resident voiced concerns about traffic impacts downtown. The Town's Commissioner of Community Development Jane Clohecy said a traffic study has been carried out, which concludes the preferred option will not cause traffic headaches. Burton said spreading the attractions throughout the downtown is a sound plan and that Oakville needs a new, larger theatre. "The increase in capacity increases the visitors, assuming the shows attract more people," said Burton. "I know the Oakville Symphony sells out all of its performances. That argues that if there was more capacity, more people might come to the symphony. Last time Jim Cuddy came, the demand was so strong we had a second show.... When the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts was built, I think we had a population of around 70,000. In the 2011 census, we were 182,000. That alone might suggest that you need a bigger theatre." Clohecy said the third option is preferred for a number of reasons. With the addition of a digital aspect to the library, she said a wider range of ages will be drawn to the downtown at varied hours. She also said if everything was being redeveloped only at Centennial Square, the construction would require the closure of all the facilities there, potentially for a lengthy time. This is not the case with the dispersed model where construction can be done in such a way that the majority of facilities can remain open. From a heritage point of view, Clohecy said, the preferred option is desirable because it allows the old Post Office building to be maintained by finding a public use for it. As the theatre at the Oakville Centre is smaller than those in several surrounding municipalities, Clohecy said, the building of a larger theatre Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! 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