LEWISPORTE -
There's a bustle of activity in Lewisporte happening just beyond the industrial park.
The Town of Lewisporte councillors and staff are busy planning and developing, along with private developers, several large developments in the uptown area. One of those is the Porte Village subdivision in the area of 422 Main Street.
The subdivision, known as Porte Village, will consist of 22 lots, in addition to two five-plex rental units.
"The developer applied to build Newfoundland and Labrador Housing for ten units, two five-plex units, which he is constructing now," said Mayor Brian Peckford. "We are working hand-in-hand with all developers because it's a benefit for both of us."
"For example, it's a situation where our water line ends at the end of the Porte Village property. So we are working with that developer to develop his lots, but at the same time we will be able to get our water line further uptown."
Town manager Perry Pond said a booster line was put in the ground during the 1980s, but was never continued to make a loop system.
"With a loop system, if we shut down the water, no one will be out of water," he said. "It will be a loop system then, because right now if we shut off the water from the Pentecostal Church and up, all the businesses will be out of water, but if we had that loop line no one would be affected and pressure would actually be up."
Mayor Peckford, councillors and engineers have also been discussing traffic concerns throughout the community.
"We have to deal with traffic in town, it's one of the major issues," said Mayor Peckford. "We have several major congestion areas, like near Save Easy and uptown that have to be addressed. If we had turning lanes for these areas, at least then the rest of the traffic can bypass so there is no congestion and drivers aren't taking the shoulder of the road."
With the upcoming Woolfrey's Pond Bridge replacement, Mayor Peckford and Mr. Pond have met with the Department of Transportation and Works to discuss the accommodation of a third lane in the bridge replacement.
"The possibly of a third lane will be looked at when we do the water and sewer next year," said Mr. Pond. "There may be restrictions out there that may restrict us from doing so, but we will be looking into the possibility."
Mayor Peckford hopes the Porte Village development will aid in a secondary route through town.
Mayor Peckford gave the scenario of access roads leading from the Porte Village property to the Pentecostal Church and then possibly behind Wooflery's Pond, meeting up with Pine Avenue.
"Either way we recognize traffic is an issue, but it's a good issue," said Mayor Peckford. "We are growing and we will be growing even more. So we have to accommodate."
Industrial Park
"We just had our plan done for the industrial park drawn up by a design group," said Mayor Peckford. "We are really going to be pushing our industrial park."
Three lots are already sold with one block sold to Western Petroleum. The company plans on putting a tank farm at the end of the road that currently services the industrial park.
"What we are trying to do is then put in a complete access road to the Porte Village subdivision," said Mayor Peckford. "Our employees have started working on the water and sewer to the sites in the Industrial Park.
"Uptown is going to be a major growth area with the residential lots and industrial park, but we recognize and we're certainly not going to forget downtown. Downtown always has been a main priority for us."
Mr. Pond stated downtown will be a priority because the area is the main backdrop to the growing Lewisporte Marina.
"Overall it is encouraging to see the demand that is here in Lewisporte now for residential, commercial and marina," said Mayor Peckford.
Mr. Pond added, "CECON just started Phase II of their development, that's Evergreen. They did 16 lots last year and now they are finished the 30-lot cul-de-sac in by Cedar.
"This morning (June 24) every single contractor is operating at full capacity and that's great to see."
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