Project Archive: July 2006
ALMA, BALACLAVA STREETS RECONSTRUCTION & REALIGNMENT
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DownloadBelow are documents and background on the reconstruction and realignment of Alma and Balaclava streets as published in July 2006 upon commencement of the project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Kingston has retained Totten Sims Hubicki Associates to undertake a Class Environmental Assessment, to examine alternatives for upgrades to Alma and Balaclava Streets. This project will follow the process for Schedule B projects under the June 2000 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document.
BACKGROUND
Alma, Balaclava Streets border two sides of McBurney Park. The Study Area is shown to the right.
McBurney Park was once a burial ground, with the earliest record of its being used as such dating back to 1816. The site was used first as a Garrison Burying Ground and later as the Upper Burial Grounds for the Kingston Anglican, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian churches.
Burials continued until 1864. After the closure of the Upper Burial Grounds in 1864, the site entered a 30-year period of neglect. Problems included long grass, toppled burial stones, vandalism and cows and pigs grazing in the burial ground. As a way to resolve these problems, in 1892 the ownership of the land was transferred by the churches to the City of Kingston, who agreed to turn the abandoned burial ground into a public park.
THE PROJECT
In recent years, the City has initiated the replacement of aging services beneath Alma and Balaclava Streets. Work is to include the reconstruction of both streets, including new curbs and sidewalks. In order to mark the boundaries of the former cemetery and to provide necessary data to complete a road design of Alma Street prior to sewer and road reconstruction, an Archaeological Assessment of Alma, Balaclava & Ordnance Streets, McBurney Park was completed in February 2005. The Archaeological Assessment found that the historic western limit of the cemetery is within the present traveled portion of the road on Alma Street. To avoid building over human remains, the City is considering turning Alma into a narrower one-way street with one driving lane and one parking lane. This potential change to Alma requires a Schedule B Environmental Assessment.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
As part of the Environmental Assessment, all reasonable and feasible alternative solutions will be considered. A Preliminary Screening of these solutions is shown on the back page of this brochure. Alternatives deemed worthy of further evaluation have been marked "CARRIED FORWARD". These alternatives include:
- Do Nothing.
- Replace infrastructure and reconstruct Alma Street, as a northerly one-way street with parking.
- Replace infrastructure and reconstruct Alma Street, as a southerly one-way street with parking.
The second and third alternatives include replacing services under and reconstructing Balaclava Street in its original location.
SPECIALIST STUDIES & EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES
Before alternatives are evaluated, a number of specialist studies will be done for the study area. Reports will be done on Traffic Impacts, Social Environment and Land Use, Municipal Infrastructure, Stormwater Management, Archaeology (applying recent archaeological work to the EA process) and Landscaping (focussing on protection of the existing trees). Based on the information obtained from these studies, the alternatives for Alma and Balaclava will be weighed against each other and a Preferred Alternative will be selected. A Public Open House will be held for the purpose of receiving feedback on the Preferred Alternative.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
There will be several opportunities throughout the course of the project for the public to provide input. We encourage comments as soon as possible. The earlier comments are received, the more they can influence the outcome of the study. Information will be shared with the public by newspaper advertisement, posting on the city's website, and direct mailings to nearby residents. This will be done at the following points:
- Study Commencement- Now
- Public Open House- September 2006 (tentative)
- Study Completion- November 2006 (tentative)
Public input is invited for incorporation into the planning and design of this project. Although input will be received throughout the course of the project, we would like to receive as many comments as possible before a preferred alternative is selected. For this reason, submission of comments by July 28, 2006 is encouraged. Persons wishing to be included on the study mailing list, provide comments or request further information may contact:
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Emily Zegers, P.Eng., Project Engineer |
Vicki Kimmett, Clerk |
