From "temporary" to "interim", the status of the Brookdale Avenue port of entry is now nearing a final chapter, city council heard on Wednesday.
"We want to propose a 'final' solution by August," said Claude Beland, a director with the Canada Border Service Agency, answering a question by Coun. Denis Carr during a special council meeting.
Beland said the agency is considering four options -- the first three predictable:
* return the port of entry to its previous location on Cornwall Island;
* stay in Cornwall;
* locate on the U.S. side;
* close the crossing, which council has already agreed should be avoided.
Carr's query came amid a wealth of other questions posed to Beland and two of his colleagues: Lance Markell, local operations director; and Denis Vinette, regional director. Also present was communications manager Chris Kealey.
In the meantime, CAO Paul Fitzpatrick revealed, after a question from Coun. Mary Ann Hug, the city and the CBSA are negotiating a lease which would provide the municipality with a frontage fee comparable to what other Brookdale properties pay.
Earlier, the CBSA group asked for, and got approval for several improvements to the "interim" port of entry at the foot of the Seaway International Bridge.
There will be two more general improvements in addition to the already completed painted white lines which replaced the temporary barrels. The other two are replacing temporary with permanent signage and take down green privacy screening in favour of wood fencing.
There will be seven upgrades to the primary examination zone: construct a canopy, install permanent light, using four variable messaging signs, erect traffic control gates, add licence plate readers, implement a security camera system, and build speed bumps.
The secondary examination zone would also include a canopy, improving the staff trailer and installing security cameras. Permanent lighting has already been completed.
"All the improvements will be done in a way that they will be really temporary in nature," Beland said.
He added that removal would have a "minimal disruption to the existing pavement."
Regardless, the new upgrades created an environment that suggests the "final solution" in August won't be implemented for some time, yet.
The work would take about 4- 6 weeks.
Council also voted to accept Coun. Mark MacDonald's motion to have the safety of pedestrians crossing Brookdale be considered when the CBSA plan is revealed in August.
MacDonald explained his motion is a way of dealing with the traffic from the new sports complex when it opens, tentatively for March 2011.
Mayor Bob Kilger added to the motion, saying that a sidewalk must be included on the west side of Brookdale.
Earlier, other councillors wondered if an elevated cross-walk would provide relief for pedestrians.
That wasn't discounted, said public works manager Norm Levac, while CAO Paul Fitzpatrick added it would have to be a budget item for 2011.
The issue of how the proposed low-level bridge to Cornwall Island fits into the port of entry's future was posed by Carr.
Beland said planning for the bridge "is moving along" under the direction of Transport Canada.