TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
A developer the Town of Rimbey is waiting on to complete an access onto Highway 53 says he wants no part of the project.
Developer Gord Davies from Cavalier Venture Corporation said the construction of the 54th Street access onto Highway 53 has nothing to do with him.
“I don’t need it. That’s between Stan (Cummings) and the town. I’m not involved.”
A development agreement drawn up in June of 2009 between the town and Cavalier Venture Corporation states the town will be responsible for the construction and paving of 54th Street and the completion of the Highway 53 access. However, Davies is to complete the work for which he would be reimbursed by the town on a per square metre basis.
The estimated cost is $230,000.
But Davies said the access is not necessary for him.
“The traffic flow is not high enough. And I’m saving the town (almost) a quarter of a million dollars not to build it.”
He said plans are to complete phase 3 of Legacy Lane and have the back lane continue in a horseshoe back to 54th Street.
Davies added that it is not safe to have highway accesses too close together, noting there is also an access at the Best Western Hotel.
“(The department of) Transportation will fight this like crazy,” he said.
The town received ministerial approval from Alberta Transportation in 2008 to proceed with the 54th Street/Highway 53 access.
Rimbey’s assistant CAO, Ryan Maier, said Davies, at a meeting with Cummings and town representatives held on Jan. 5 of this year, indicated he planned to complete the access.
“We have not been able to contact him since that time,” he said.
Cummings, who owns Best Western Rimstone Ridge Hotel and several acres of land adjacent to the development, said he made an agreement with the former council that he gave them about half an acre of land so 54th Street would be completed and access provided onto Highway 53.
Now Cummings wants his land back because the road remains unfinished and there is no access to the highway.