Montague revitalization plan called challenging but achievable
Kevin Yarr | CBC News | Posted: April 18, 2016 11:00 PM | Last Updated: April 18, 2016
Promote culture and natural features, report recommends
A new report commissioned by the eastern P.E.I. town of Montague has put forward a collection of ideas for revitalizing the community.
Edgar Dewar, co-author of the Town of Montague Revitalization Action Plan, calls the recommendations challenging, but achievable.
"You look at successful stories around the Maritimes, other places that have pulled up their bootstraps and been successful, and what did they need to do," Dewar told CBC News.
"And then you start putting them together."
The report focuses on five areas for improvement:
More arts and culture
The report recommends creating an arts and culture advisory board that would bring a new strategy for public art in the town, including as much Island content as possible.
The authors would also like to see a new arts and culture centre.
A redeveloped waterfront
Improvements recommended include more recreational infrastructure on the south bank of the Montague River. This might include kayak and/or canoe rentals. There should also be walking paths along both sides of the river, the report recommends.
The town could also be taking better advantage of promoting Montague as part of the Three Rivers National Heritage River System, the report said.
Better protection for culture and heritage
The town should create a heritage district on the south side of the river, the report recommends. Owners who renovate heritage properties would get a tax break on the property's increased value.
Changes to Main Street
Many of the recommended changes would promote walking and cycling as part of making Montague a more sustainable community. More trees and other plantings would give the street more of a rural feel, the report said.
Owners of underutilized and vacant properties should be approached to find alternatives for making the space more attractive, the report said.
'Get out there and promote it'
"I keep saying "Where the heck's Montague?' Nobody knows," said Dewar.
"They need to get out there and promote it."
The report recommends that include more advertising, better training at visitor information centres and town councillors getting out and promoting the town and business and social events.