St. John’s City Council has announced the Annual Capital Budget for 2018. It is the last year in a three year strategy announced in 2016

“Many of the projects identified in the 2018 Capital Plan were previously determined in our three year Capital Plan 2016-18,” explained Councillor Dave Lane, Council lead for Finance and Administration.

“Developing budget plans over the long term allows Council to better plan for expenses and to manage public resources more effectively. However, as we are now at the end of a three-year cycle, much of the capital expenditures have already been committed.”

Capital projects cover a wide range of services, including transportation improvements, water and sanitary service upgrades, housing projects, grants to community groups, and park infrastructure.

3 Definite Funding Commitments

A net of $7.9 million has been identified in available funding for 2018.

Three items totalling $1 Million have already been committed to by council:

    • A Metrobus Review ($110,000)
    • Council Chambers Accessibility Upgrades ($200,000)
    • Enhancements to Victoria Park ($700,000)

This leaves almost $6.9M to focus on new projects

10 Other Projects Recommended for Additional 6.9 Million:

  • Cumberland Crescent Storm Sewer Replacement ($1,500,000)
  • Yellow Marsh Area  Storm Water Detention ($1,000,000)
  • Truck for additional snow clearing routes ($300,000)
  • Team Gushue Highway: notional amount to be set aside ($600,000)
  • Mundy Pond/Captain Whalen Drive Area Street Re-alignment ($500,000)
  • Removal of old Fuel Tanks on Freshwater Road ($80,000)
  • Themed Signage (Business & Tourism Develpment) ($190,000)
  • King George 5th Turf Replacement ($900,000)
  • Sustainability Plan for Municipal Environmental Initiatives ($50,000)
  • New Scope for First World War project at Harbourside Park ($800,000)

Stormy weather in 2013 and 2016 caused basement flooding to some properties on Cumberland Crescent, hence their sitting pretty atop the priority list. An existing storm pipe needs complete replacement from #4 to #56 Cumberland Crescent, with a connection to the existing storm sewer system in Thorburn Road.

If you’re unfamiliar with the other proposed millon-dollar project, The Yellow Marsh area forms the headwaters to the Rennie’s River system. Stormwater management of this area will allow the City to meet the requirements of its Net Zero Run-off policy. To accomplish that, some stormwater detention ponds will need to be constructed in the Yellow Marsh area.

As for a new truck for snowclearing, it is a necessity to keep pace with development. Over the last few years our city’s street network has gotten bigger, forcing the same number of plows to cover more ground. A new plow, as council says, “is required to maintain the expected level of service throughout the City.”