Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Stephanie Sprecker heard the winter grumbling roaring in when she took over in mid-September, already contemplating how she would help property owners clear snow covered sidewalks.
Many downtown property owners have opted to throw a portion of their money into a sidewalk snow removal program, created by former DDA Director Justin Knepper in 2011.
A city vote on Monday, Oct. 17 of this year awarded the DDA's three year snow removal contract to Cardinal Construction for the amount of $46,000.
Due to rising costs, city conversations escalated at a DDA meeting last month.
"The reason for costs going up was because the bid price went up," Sprecker said.
She carefully reviewed the two very different options presented by the city's engineering department.
"Option 1 rose to $46,000, compared to $30,000 last year," she said.
Upon reviewing Option 1, Sprecker also realized it left out approximately 90 downtown properties.
"It predominantly covered Ashmun Street and Portage Avenue," she said. "That was concerning as DDA director because I did not want to leave out property owners who previously had services."
Meanwhile, she found that Option 2 covered Ashmun Street, Portage Avenue, and many side streets in between.
Sprecker began analyzing costs, comparing Option 1 to Option 2.
"I calculated the cost per linear foot," she said. "Option 2 increased the number of properties, while decreasing the cost of one linear foot to approximately $1.65. That is less than half of what businesses paid last year."
Along with the increased number of businesses serviced in Option 2, the city pays 40% of the snow removal contract.
During a regular city commission meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, commissioners were presented with both options. Option 2 was unanimously approved by the city commission.
As such, Sprecker has encouraged business owners to opt in to the snow removal program.
"My first priority is business owners," she said. "Overall services would be enhanced if we could get everyone on board."
Sprecker is looking into alternate options to help property owners clear their snowy, icy sidewalks next winter.
For more detailed information on the DDA snow removal program and/or options presented, read the Sault Ste. Marie city agenda here.
