The City of New Westminster is going to pretty up the parkade that remains standing when the other side comes down.
As the city proceeds with plans to demolish the west side of the Front Street parkade, it has also given the go-ahead to beautify the east side with a mural. The mural to be located on the side of the parkade facing Westminster Pier Park, would be composed of a support structure that could function as a safety railing, mesh fencing and two-part plastic disks to create a high-resolution, pixilated image to be viewed from the distance.
Erika Mashig, the city’s parks and open space planner, said the light from the parkade would illuminate the mural on the metal mesh.
“I think it’s an exciting idea,” said Coun. Bill Harper. “We have seen different themes of this in different cities around the world.”
A staff report notes that similar installations include Hands (San Jose, California) and News Reader (Seattle, Washington).
The images to be included on the New Westminster mural have yet to be determined.
“Staff proposes a fun public engagement process whereby the community would vote on themes for the image that represent the community of New Westminster,” states a staff report. “This would give the community a sense of ownership, while emphasizing creativity and local spirit.”
Council has directed staff to proceed with the Front Street east parkade beautification mural project and to install the railing in January 2014. Demolition of the western side of the parkade is expected to get underway in February 2014.
Catalin Dobrescu, the city’s utilities and special projects engineer, told The Record the two-level parkade from Sixth to Begbie streets will be demolished. The city will also cut out a small portion of the B and C decks east of Sixth Street, which will open the view corridor down Sixth Street to the Fraser River.
According to staff, the cost of designing and installing the mural hasn’t been determined, but it’s estimated to be approximately $178,500. The metal screen and structural supports (including railings) are estimated at $125,000, making the estimated coast of the project about $303,500.
Gary Holowatiuk, the city’s director of finance and information technology, said the city has some funding in its five-year financial plan for upgrades to the parkade.
While he supports the plan, Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said the city should give some thought to plans for the top deck of the parkade. He noted that people on the parkade appreciate the view of the Fraser River.
Coun. Jonathan Cote believes the mural will be well received by people visiting Westminster Pier Park.
“It’s a creative way to make a less than attractive structure more inviting in the community,” he said.
