The city will need to cough up more money than planned to landscape two key interchanges that will link Anthony Henday Drive to St. Albert.
Landscaping costs would run between $900,000 and $1.2 million for each of the two main interchanges if the city was to pursue the concepts defined by landscape architect EDA Collaborative. Council received a report from the city-contracted firm on Monday.
The report outlines two scenarios for enhanced landscaping at two ring road interchanges, St. Albert Trail and Campbell Road. While the interchanges would lie within the province's transportation utility corridor, it's up to the city to pay for enhanced landscaping, if desired, said city manager Bill Holtby.
The province only provides basic landscaping of top soil and grass seed at interchanges, he said.
St. Albert Trail between the ring road and St. Albert's boundary will be lined with trees and foliage in an effort to beautify the stretch and reinforce the city's brand as Alberta's botanical city, he said.
"The direction we perceived was to enhance the entrance to St. Albert so that it felt very different than any of the other entrances that come off of the Anthony Henday, being consistent with our botanical arts brand," Holtby said.
A natural design is pegged at $1.2 million while a structured scheme is projected to cost $900,000. City administration is seeking further direction given the costs involved.
Unless a member of council takes on the issue, it would be addressed through the 10-year capital plan, then the three-year plan and finally the budget process in the fall, Holtby said.
Council had previously earmarked $500,000 for landscaping entrances in the 2012 budget.
The city would scale the project to the budget provided, Holtby said.
"It's totally up to the discretion of council," he said.
Coun. Malcolm Parker wondered why the city only identified $500,000 when the actual costs were so much higher.
Mayor Nolan Crouse said it was his idea to seek the funding during the last budget process but he was forced to pluck a number out of the air because there were no cost estimates available.
Signage
Council also received an update on plans to enhance entrance signage. The consultant's report included plans for a primary sign at the south entrance on St. Albert Trail, four secondary signs and seven "tertiary" signs.
That program is projected to cost about $500,000.
Council has already approved $400,000 in this year's and last year's budgets for signage. The plan is to provide another $100,000 next year, though this is subject to council approval during the 2012 budget review.
Coun. Malcolm Parker questioned the spending.
"Do we really need that many signs?" he asked.
Council accepted the report as information and didn't make any decisions on the matter.
