Chatham Councillor Michael Bondy wants the municipality to rethink a planned overhaul of changes to Chatham’s Victoria Avenue.
Bondy says hundreds of people have got involved in a public campaign to maintain the status quo on the historic street.
“We understand there’s infrastructure work that has to be done, but there’s very little to zero interest in changing the design of Victoria Avenue,” Bondy says. “The design would change Victoria dramatically. We’re asking for status quo, do the work, put it back the way it is. Everybody likes it the way it is.”
Sewer work is scheduled to take place in 2022, and while the work is ongoing, municipal staff is suggesting some other upgrades, including replacing sidewalks with a multi-use pathway, a roundabout where Victoria, Gladstone and Stephenson streets meet up, all of which would require the removal of a number of trees along the route.
Residents in the area have launched a social media campaign to voice their opposition to any changes, and have been tying orange ribbons around trees down the street.
The issue will be up for discussion on March 23.
