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Merchants believe new look will improve business 'who worked hard behind the scenes - even donning a clown suit for Wednesday’s event. Because most design work for what is the first of a three phase facelift for Kerr Street, was done “in-house” between the two groups, Graham said all-$1.3 mil- lion in funding for Phase I will. go to the actual streetscape and not a consultant’s pocket. “We’re hoping people who don’t know Kerr Street will come down and see the unique things we have and then will come back to watch us change and grow,” said Graham. “We have some pretty special stuff here. You can get anything from African sausages to Polish treats. Men’s and women’s cloth- ing. It’s all here,” Graham said, noting the shopping area’s multi- cultural approach makes it unique in Oakville. ‘ Cowan Avenue (where the old Consumer’s used to be) is already flanked by a brand new residen- tial/business development. Soon it will become a pedestrian walk- way, lined by trees and feature a sculpture and an evergreen (which merchant’s hope to decorate as a Christmas tree this coming sea- son). ' V Wednesday’s official ground- breaking was in lieu of a June event which was rained out. Ward 2 councillor' Fred Oliver told the crowd, this time Oakville c0uncil had passed a motion for “no rain.” SE) as the sun shone, so did hope for many who’ve waited a' (Continued from page 1) long time for the facglift. Oliver recalled Kerr Street“ when it was a dirt road and Graham noted area merchants and residents had waited patiently while downtown Oakville and v later Bronte Village took shape. Now it’s Kerr Street’s turn. Along with the pedestrian plaza, interlock sidewalks will bulb into the intersections with ' new lighting, flowers, trees and benches beckoning to shoppers and those out for a stroll. By November, not only the plaza but Kerr Street from Stewart Street to Westside Street will be trans- formed. And so as not to put “all the pretty things” on top of old, all water and storm sewer systems and underground work will be redone. About $350,000 of the $1.3 million coét was funded by a provincial government grant: Now Graham is pushing for news about grant money for Phase 2 which will transform Kerr Street south from Westside Street to Lakeshore Road. And then there’s Phase 3 that will stretch-from Westside north to Speers Road. Admittedly, with the first - albeit most expensive - phase having been in concrete planning stages for three years, it could take close to a decade for the entire rejuvenation’s completion. Grahém noted many merchants who aren’t going to benefit from Phase I were still enthusiastic, “The merchants came together for the first time and I think their enthusiasm for the first phase will be a major factor in ensuring the others,” said Graham. “There were a lot of doubting Thomas’ who thought it would never happen, that renovation for Kerr Street would be hanging . more geraniums. You can’t blame them. Oakville happened, Bronte happened and they were still wait- ing,” said Graham. With local merchants support- ed by the existing mix of Polish, Portuguese and Italian communi- ties, Graham said they need to appeal to a wider clientele to real- ly succeed. V “We’re hiding our light under a bushel. People need an introduc- tion to Kerr Street,” said Graham. As the Town Crier announced the “Kerr Street walkway was at hand” and assured the crowd that councillors wouldn’t be operating the backhoes, people learned con- structionlbegins next week - with the equipment arriving this week. . “Anything that-will bring more people to this area can’t be any- thing but a plus,” said Royal Bank planning/market developer Jack Jamieson. “I think it’s going to improve business and I think everybody is going to be happy,” said Domenico DeFazio, owner of DeFazio Men’s Wear. “Because construction is going to start next week, we wanted it to be a bit of a party for people,” said Jill Snidal- of the Oakville- Parent Child Centre and coâ€"chair of the Kerr Street Merchant’s Association. “The important thing is that all shops will continue to be open. There will be some disruption but A'l'l‘EN'l'lflN N A'I'I‘ENTION HUNDREDS TO CHOOSE FROM ATFRAC 110M 0F NURSERY PRICES + Tflfi =$1o 3 DAY SALE all businesses will’be open and customers can continue to come in and use their services,” said Snidal. lncl.“'"ré°xes