Downtown Belleville was officially reopened Thursday evening following four years of construction work and revitalization. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
A joyous and thankful spirit was in the cool October air in Belleville’s downtown Thursday evening.
Community citizens, members of government and business owners braved chilly temperatures at the Downtown Celebration, held to mark the official reopening of downtown Belleville.
This follows four years of construction as part of the Downtown Revitalization & Redevelopment Project, including the recently completed Phase 3B, which took eight months (March to October of this year) to finish. This phase featured work being done on McAnnany, Market and Front Streets, spanning from Bridge Street East to Dundas Street East.
The focus of the project was to improve the infrastructure around Front Street in the downtown core.
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher says it’s been a long, but fruitful journey to get to the stage of officially re-opening downtown Belleville, which happened Thursday evening. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
At the event, Mayor Taso Christopher thanked a bevy of people who had a hand in the project, including the downtown stakeholders (business owners, residents, property owners), the Mayor’s Taskforce and members of Corcoran Excavating, among others.
Christopher says the city addressed some key components with the completion of the project.
Christopher adds better access to downtown businesses will be granted again with expanded parking and amenities.
BDIA Board Chair Dwane Barrett (right) presented a $50,000 cheque to the city for the purchase of LED Street Lights for the revitalized downtown core. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Belleville Downtown Improvement Area Board Chair Dwane Barrett says the downtown being fully accessible will be a huge benefit for drivers in the city.
On behalf of the BDIA, Barrett presented a $50,000 cheque to the city for the purchase of LED Street Lights for the downtown.
The project comes in at an estimated total of $34.5 million for all phases.
Tasty treats were provided to the approximately 250 people in attendance, and The Fiddleheads brought the entertainment with some lively folk music as part of the evening as well.
Dan Corcoran (left) and Kyle Corcoran (middle) of Corcoran Excavating were presented with a token of appreciation by Mayor Taso Christopher for their efforts in completing the downtown Belleville revitalization project. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
The Mayor’s Taskforce was honoured by Mayor Taso Christopher for their efforts in the downtown Belleville revitalization project. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Local band The Fiddleheads provided the musical entertainment at the reopening of downtown Belleville Thursday evening. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Wade and his horse Jenny from the County Carriage Co. enjoy the downtown reopening celebration Thursday evening. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
A large crowd fills in Front Street to take in the official reopening of Belleville’s downtown Thursday evening. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
