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Fenwick project receives mixed reviews

It may not look like the rendered pictures quite yet, but a major part of downtown Fenwick construction work is now complete. Louie Dam, owner of Clarence’s Service Centre, had a front row seat during the entire revitalization project.
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It may not look like the rendered pictures quite yet, but a major part of downtown Fenwick construction work is now complete.
Louie Dam, owner of Clarence’s Service Centre, had a front row seat during the entire revitalization project.
Dam says he was happy to see the street finally clear of machinery, but admits having no problems or complaints during the entire project.
“There were days where it was aggravating but I can’t complain,” Dam said, as many of his customers are by appointment. “Anytime a situation would arise, I would go to the construction supervisor and he would be more than willing to accommodate and adjust certain situations to make it work for me and my business.”
The budgeted $4 million project fell behind schedule despite an October deadline. Delays because of contaminated soil removal and terrible weather conditions halted progress. It affected businesses in the area.
Dam says it could have been a lot worse.
“For me, it hasn’t been a bad experience. Large projects like these have got to be worse before it gets better. And the better in this case will be in the spring once everything is completed.”
With a front seat view of the project, he saw some functional problems with the set-up.
He has already watched transport trucks get stuck when turning, and  fears the new design created a dangerous situation for those turning off of Welland Road and Church Street because of a new parking situation.
“It’s a tight turn to do. We’ve already seen some of the snowplow drivers have difficulty manoeuvring through, but we’ll see how it looks when everything is complete.”
Golden Grill owner Lisa Kouretsos says she was hoping the Town would have done a better job in promoting Fenwick after the long construction haul.
Unlike Dam, she relies on drive-by traffic to bring business. She says it was a nightmare.
“The construction supervisors were often helpful during the road renovations but many times I’d come in and the road would be closed without any warning,” Kouretsos said.
Other businesses who relied on car and foot traffic felt the sting over the winter, she says.
“I’m not happy and I know many others on this street aren’t either due to the long delays and the parking problems people are having.”
Kouretsos hopes the town will look into providing assistance – either in the form of a property tax reduction or by better signage to promote downtown Fenwick – but she is not holding her breath.
“It’s been a terrible experience so far. More needs to be done to help out those who have been patiently waiting for this to be done.”
The project includes replacement of water and sewer lines, new sidewalks, cosmetic bricking, road reconstruction, underground wiring and new parking arrangement.
The road reconstruction included a streetscaping and landscaping around the historic Fenwick flagpole.
However, the burying of the wires has yet to be completed and the beautification process will begin once winter has passed.
The Fenwick 160th Anniversary Commemorative bricks have also yet to be placed, as residents have until Jan. 30 to make a purchase.