Banff Avenue to get summer makeover

Parts of Banff's main drag will be a construction zone for most of the summer, after town council unanimously approved a $22-million project to replace the avenue's aging underground infrastructure.

Mayor John Stutzsaidsome of the infrastructurebelow the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue is 100 years old.

Many business owners along that stretch of Banff Avenue have expressed concerns about the impact the workwill haveon retail sales, but Stutz said council has added $1 million to thebudget to address those concerns.

The money will gotowardtraffic control, parking personnel, street entertainment, ambassadors, signs,and destination marketing, he said.

"We have certainly put a comprehensive program together to assist with all the visitors here so that they're going to have, I think,a remarkable experience."

The underground work will be completed by fall.

Stutz saidthere will also be cosmetic improvements, whichwill makeBanff Avenue a more pedestrian-friendly area with wider sidewalks, more foliage, andspace for outdoor cafes in the 2008 summer tourist season.