CBRM study aims to improve downtown Sydney

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is launching a study that will look at ways toimprove Sydney's downtown core.

The staff report will look ateverything from parking to overhead wires toinfrastructure improvements and even residential development.

Mayor Cecil Clarke says with the ongoing planning for a possible container terminal and asecondcruise ship berth in the new year, it's important to prepare for the future.

"If we are going to be competing,as we are,for people to come here from around the world,we have to be a world class community," Clarke said. "We have to improve our baseline infrastructure of roadsand sidewalks and signage and lightingand that adds to their quality of life and living."

The study will involve consultation with business owners and residents.

Parking shortage

Ed Gillis, who runsa small used bookstore on Charlotte Street,says his biggest concerns arethe shortage of parking spotsand current use ofmetered parking by the municipality.

"For a small business like mine, if people are willing to spend a few dollars and all of a sudden they have to pay a parking ticket, it reflects on my business considerably," Gillis said.

Gillissays hehopes the study will result in a more vibrant and business-friendly downtown and Clarke agrees.

"We also need to make the downtown a liveable downtown, which means looking for mixed use so it's not just retail and services," Clarke said.

"It's residential,whether that's more condominiums [or]apartment buildings to make it a liveable community."

Themayor says he expectsthe study willbe ready for regional council approval in time for budget talks in the spring.