Village renewal

IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN

Annex to the Report of June 2002

File # 520335

Preamble

The Municipal Council of Fort-Coulonge has undertaken, over the past few years, to give a more welcoming and attractive image to the village making its citizens proud. To the eyes of the visitors it is more appealing whether they come by bike, by car or by walk. Here is our action plan for the next years as well as the different projects that we want realised. We hope that we will have the support of the « Renouveau villageois» program (New Village). We hope to have a great success in the future with this project so that Fort-Coulonge will grow to the biggest and most beautiful village in the Pontiac.

A future vision:

Fort-Coulonge has always been an important commercial centre with services. It is that vocation that we plan to develop. The proximity with the Bicycle Path, the Coulonge River, the Ottawa River, our Centenarian houses, the Manor Drive, and outside our village, the Bryson House, the Chutes Coulonge and the covered bridge are many attractive tourist sites but also sites that are unknown to many. That's why the Municipal Council of Fort-Coulonge, with the support of its citizens has a new future vision under the design of evolution and change.

A step in progress:

During the past few years, we have undertaken to modify progressively the configuration of our village (enrichment projects: flowers, public trash cans, roads and pavement repairs, sidewalks, demolition projects, recycling and recuperation, beautification of the Century Park and the entrance of the village...). But this is a process that demands persistence as well as a lot of important financial resources. In this economic context and our current situation some projects are rather difficult (drinking water project, Arena and Leisure, merging file...). We are doing our best to continue with the projects in process.

The local heritage and the development avenues

You will find for each sector, the projects that we consider in a short and middle term:

Entrance of the village:

Updating of the Park, widening and improvement of the road, which leads to the Bicycle path (Beaume Street). Repairing of pavement, publishing of village maps which highlight our tourist attractions, planting of trees and flowers, improvement of the panorama on the Coulonge River and of the parking area, and painting of murals.

NOTICE: The Main Street could become the Manor Drive from the Main Street and Baume Street intersection.

Intersection Baume-Main Street:

• Extension of the Post Office and expropriation, repairing of intersection and installation of street lamps, adornment of the Park (bench, hedge and lawn), enhance the existing buildings and parking area (at the intersection of the Manor Drive).

• Manor Drive: bury the hydro-electric lines (intersection), resurfacing of pavement, embellishment of the Covered Bridge Road, construction of a promenade with a view over the river, project of a heritage journey.

• Centenarian Park: Walking path around the park and near the river, adding of games with security, flower fences, adding of a shelter and toilets for visitors.

Connex and town planning projects:

• Construction of a public wharf with access to the Ottawa River near the Centenarian Park (Bord de l'eau Road).

• Foundation «Rue Principale » (Main Street) in process

Production of a tourists pamphlet

• Updating of our town planning in relation to our action plan and development

Important investments:

The current action plan involves important financial obligations and the municipal council of Fort Coulonge is willing to realise the plan. It is now an irreversible process. It is very important for our future and our survival as the most important area of the Pontiac. The leadership that we have now shows better days for our community and the citizens.

NOTICE: The Municipality of Fort-Coulonge is a member of the ATO (Tourists Association of the Outaouais Region) and we will take advantage to let the Municipality know on a regional and national level.

Deadline:

• Since 1999: Resurfacing of pavements and streets, adding of flowers, trash cans, lights at the entrance of the village, demolition of two old houses

• For 2003: Resurfacing of pavements and streets (phase IV)

• Conception of a project to bury the hydro-electric wires

• Fixing of the road which leads to the Bicycle Path (Baume Street)

• Improvement of our parks (entrance of the village, centenarian)- Phase I: Fittings, filling up and games, realisation of a huge map of the village and a tourist pamphlet

• Construction of a terrace near the Ottawa River, beside the Manor Drive and the cenotaph

• For 2004: Resurfacing of pavements and sidewalks (phase V), realisation of the project to bury the hydro-electric wires (phase I) and adding of street lights

Project of enlarging the Post Office and expropriation

• Improvement of the centenarian Park (phase II-shelter and toilets)

• Conception of a heritage tour and its publication

For 2005:

• Resurfacing of pavements and streets (Phase VI)

• Realisation of the project for burying the hydroelectric wires (phase II)

• Addition of lights – posters

• Conception of a mural painting (Comptoir St-Pierre)

• Improvement of the Centenarian Park (Phase III – walking path)

• Improvement of a panorama over the Coulonge River and the parking area (entrance of the village)

For 2006:

• Resurfacing of the pavements and sidewalks (Phase VII)

• Realisation of the project to bury the hydroelectric wires (phase III)

• Improvement of the intersection at Baume-Main Street and addition of lights

• Fixing of the public wharf and access (Bord de l'eau Road) Phase I

For 2007:

• Resurfacing of pavements and streets (Phase VIII)

• Enhancement of the existing buildings and parking areas (at the Manor Drive junction)

• Fixing of the public wharf and access (Phase II)

• Evaluation and revision of the action plan

Foreseen projects for 2003

1. Improvement of municipal parks

Problem:  Located at strategic places in the village, we have three parks that are very important for the visitors and the citizens. That's why we must improve them so that they will be more welcoming and recreational.

Welcoming and recreational functions:

1. Entrance of the village

2. Welcoming Park

3. Centenarian Park

2. Improvement of the road which leads to the Bicycle Path (Beaume- Main Streets)

Problem: The Bicycle Path crosses the village and needs to be better identified, have easy access and also give more security to the cyclists and the residents who use it. This intersection is an important resting-place. The visitor should be able to find a lot of information there but also have a resting-place with accessible parking.

3. Construction of a Terrace on the Ottawa River

Problem: This project wants to enhance the Ottawa River and offer a better view to the visitors. At the end of the Manor Drive, this terrace will be another heritage attraction located near the others and will be a good resting-place for the people who come with boats.

NOTICE: the Local Development Centre supported by a resolution of the Municipal Council accepted this project. Steps have also been done by the Ministry of Environment.

4. Realisation of a huge map of the village and a tourists pamphlet

Problem: Enhance our heritage resources and present to our visitors the services that they will find in our village. These are the objectives of our project.

Three huge maps will be made and displayed, one at the entrance of the village, one at the entrance of the Bicycle Path (near the Covered Bridge) and one at the Centenarian Park.

5. Resurfacing of pavement and sidewalks (Phase IV)

Problem: The Municipal Council of Fort-Coulonge estimates that this project will have a positive impact for the whole population. Conceived to bring a new incentive to the revitalisation of the village, this will an important project to make our community a welcoming place, where we can live in harmony.
Location: Baume Street (From Coulonge Road to Main Street)