The biggest project in St. Albert’s capital budget comes with a lot of strings attached.
The capital budget unveiled this week includes $34.8 million for the south transit station and park and ride lot, which would be a long-promised replacement for the Village Landing transit station that is consistently full.
If the project goes ahead, when completed the new facility would have 14 bays for buses and 1,650 stalls for parking.
The city would like to see the facility finished in 2013 but the project is dependent on two very significant decisions from the provincial government. The province would have to give St. Albert the land in the transportation and utility corridor, ideally at no cost, as well as approve the city’s grant request under the Green Trip program.
The Green Trip program is specifically designed for public transit projects and funds up to two thirds of a project’s costs.
The total cost of the project is projected at $34.8 million with the city responsible for $11.6 million.
Mayor Nolan Crouse admits the project needs a lot of help before the pavement could start being poured, but he said he is hopeful the city can get it done.
He said it is also important for the city to show it is serious about the project.
“I have to look at the potential,” he said. “ What you have to do is move forward and create the possibility.”
However, Crouse adds that there are other challenges to the project that also need to be resolved. He points out the land for the project is within Edmonton’s city boundaries so the two municipalities would have to work out roles and responsibilities.
“The devil is in the details on this one.”
He also said St. Albert would likely approach Sturgeon County about the project, given that about 10 per cent of transit riders are from Sturgeon.
“After a while you have to start asking the question, if 10 per cent of users are from Sturgeon County, then maybe 10 per cent of the capital should be from Sturgeon County?”
The city’s $11.6 million share of the project is currently coming from reserves, current taxes and other provincial grants.
Crouse said he doesn’t plan to develop a contingency plan for the funds that are currently allocated to this project in the capital budget.
“I think we have to explore all the options on this one before we allocate the money elsewhere,” he said. “We are going to give this thing the old college try before we give up.”
Crouse said the city has to show commitment to the project if it expects other municipalities and the province to help out.
“The fundamental on any project is that someone has to take the lead.”
He said while he would like to see other municipalities play a role it is obvious that St. Albert should take the lead because the city has the most to gain from it.
“We are the beneficiaries and we believe we have to be at the table,” he said. “I would like to see some cost sharing with Sturgeon County and maybe Edmonton, but we are committed first as St. Albert.”
Council is set to debate the capital budget during a Nov. 10 meeting. A town hall meeting on the budget will be held at Sir George Simpson School on Monday beginning at 6:30 p.m.
