The City of Richmond released its 2014 flood protection update today at a public works committee to highlight some of the improvements being made to the city's infrastructure.
This year the city will spend about $10 million on drainage and dyking improvements.
Over the past five years, 4.4 kilometres of dykes have been or are scheduled to be raised to between four and 4.7 metres above average sea level, slightly exceeding provincial requirements. Also, ten drainage pump stations have been rebuilt to improve capacity.
Since 2008 the city has spent $45 million on drainage and dyking and next year, a new five-year capital plan will propose spending $50 million, which will target five pump station rebuilds, 10 lane way drainage upgrades and $7 million worth of dyke upgrades.
The report indicates waterfront developments play a contributing factor in improving dykes. It also states sea levels will rise approximately 1.2 metres in Richmond over the next 100 years.
Athletes to be honoured on wall
On Thursday city staff will ask city council to approve the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame as a key component of the Richmond Olympic Experience project at the Olympic Oval. It is hoped the wall will serve to honour some of Richmond's greatest athletes.
It is being proposed that honoured members be approved by city council at the behest of a nominating committee. The committee would include one council member, three current members of the Richmond Sports Council and one lifetime member of RSC.
Utility boxes could become artsy
Public artwork could be coming to a utility box near you.
On Thursday, city staff will propose to the parks committee that art work be integrated into infrastructure design, including pump stations and traffic control utility boxes. Utility box wraps can already be seen in neighbouring communities.
"Inexpensive vinyl wraps can be applied to improve their appearance. As well, art wraps are effective in reducing graffiti," notes a staff report.
