By Alex McCuaig

Box Springs Boulevard

Box Springs, city agree to deal to see problem road fixed

Jun 16, 2020 | 12:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT – A road left unfinished in the city for more than a decade which has often been compared with an unintended roller-coaster by residents will be completed this year.

“The day before WHO declared a pandemic, the number one story and the number one complaint I was receiving on social media was, ‘Mayor Clugston, fix that road,’” said Mayor Ted Clugston on Tuesday regarding Box Springs Boulevard. “We have gotten a deal with Box Springs Business Park to fix that road.”

The city announced Monday the municipality and developer, Box Springs Business Park, had come to an agreement to complete the road – portions of which had not had a top layer of asphalt since 2007 – that has had left drains above grade and has been a source of multiple deep puddles and potholes.

The sticking point had been a condition in the original development agreement that required 90 per cent of the Box Springs Business Park to be occupied and new structures serviced prior to the city taking over ownership of the road.

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That goal has yet to be met but won’t mean the city will now pay for the road to be completed. Nor will it mean the city will take ownership of the roadway prior to it meeting minimum standards.

“This is a private development and privately paid for infrastructure,” Clugston said of the road.

Albert Stark, Box Springs Business Park partner, says the development has, is and will in the future pay for costs associated with the road until it’s turned over to the city.

As well as costs connected with future utility work for new business developments.

“The city doesn’t pay. None of these costs for any of the servicing or the roads or the final lift are all borne by the developer. Borne by us,” said Stark. “Even initially, the cost of construction from water, sewer, storm (ponds), pavement, curbs, street lighting are all borne by the developer.”

Both Clugston and Stark say slower than anticipated demand for the development combined with multiple intertwined development plans and agreements made coming to a final agreement complicated.

Stark recognized the situation had dragged on.

“I just have to say we thank the public and the city for their patience over the years. It has been trying times for sure,” he said.

The roadwork is currently underway and is expected to be completed by September.