A South Lismore building company has won the million-dollar contract to refurbish Wigmore Arcade in Ballina.
Ballina Shire Council yesterday gave Greg Clark Building Pty Ltd the go-ahead to begin work on the upgrade, which is expected to be complete by November in time for the Christmas holiday season.
Ballina mayor David Wright said the council had also authorised general manager Paul Hickey to negotiate compensation for tenants who would be impacted by the redevelopment.
Council staff acknowledged that the works would cause significant disruption to tenants at the entrance to, and within the arcade.
The reconstruction will take place in four stages and will cost $1,158, 237.
Cr Wright said the project would cost a bit more than was previously estimated.
In summary the major increases in the budget are roof repair ($144,000), increase in civil works and landscaping over the original budget (approximately $170,000) plus the Section 94 car parking contributions ($86,000).
Cr Wright said the work would include a new vehicle entrance to the south western end of the Wigmore car park, a shared traffic zone on Winton Land and a landscaped area with public seating.
Major work will be carried out to fix the roof, floors will be replaced and new shopfronts will be installed on all shops.
The upgrade will also include a parents’ room and a new disabled toilet, new lighting and stained timber paneling above shopfronts.
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