The City of New Westminster is looking to dress up commercial areas with decorative lighting throughout the year.
New Westminster city council has directed staff to implement an interim holiday lighting plan that blends some longstanding traditions (such as lighting of city hall and trees in Moody Park and Herbert Spencer Elementary) with some new lighting features. Early in 2013, city staff will begin work on developing a decorative lighting plan for commercial streets, gateways to the city, parks and other public space and civic facilities.
Mayor Wayne Wright said improvements to lighting technologies have made decorative lighting more feasible in commercial areas.
"It won't just be for Christmas," he said. "If you are going to make that investment . we want to make sure it's versatile."
Council also directed staff to undertake a request for proposals that would select a contractor to construct and install swag lights on Columbia Street. A staff report stated that the idea is to have replicas made of the historic swag streetlights that once graced Columbia Street.
"This would contribute to restoring Columbia Street's Miracle Mile character and would illustrate the city's intention to highlight the unique characteristics of different neighbourhoods and city landmarks through similar beautification projects," stated the report.
According to the report, staff estimates that between 12 and 18 swag lights would be required and would be permanently located on Columbia Street between Fourth and Eighth streets. The cost would be determined through the request for proposals' process.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr likes the idea of using lights with a heritage feel on Columbia Street. He also supports the plan to expand decorative lighting to other commercial areas of the city, such as Sapperton.
"There are huge benefits for promoting those districts," he said. "It really promotes and gives festive flavour for the season. It gives it a really nice upbeat inviting illumination. It's inviting to the public."
Puchmayr said there are some really good examples of decorative street lighting in the Lower Mainland.
"Other communities have done it," he said. "All the merchants are really upbeat about it."
The city is having staff develop a decorative lighting concept plan, and consultants will be hired to develop construction drawings and a detailed implementation plan.
