Eastern Charlotte Council has commissioned a preliminary study to look at the economic and development viability of the area near Exit 56.
It is the exit that leads out to Route 1, according to Chief Administrative Officer Jason Gaudet. There are currently a few businesses in the area, like a Tim Hortons and a gas station.
“This study will be conducted by CBCL,” he said during the meeting. “They’ll look at services that are required and improvements that are needed to that exit. Services mean municipal water and wastewater. They’ll also look at traffic impact.”
Gaudet said CBCL may also call upon previous studies that have been done in that area to help inform their work.
The municipal portion of the study is $3,000 out of a total of $33,000. The remainder will be shared between the Regional Development Corporation and the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission.
“I think this is a significant moment to try to move ahead with trying to develop that area,” Gaudet said. “It is a very central area. It poses great potential for retail, industrial, and commercial development, especially it being a very central point for Eastern Charlotte as well.”
In an interview with the The Courier after the meeting, Gaudet added development of the area around Exit 56 has been a priority for council since it took office.
“I think everybody wants to see larger development,” he said. “It’s great. Housing is certainly important, but we also need that commercial retail development in this region as well.”
The council passed the payment for the study unanimously.
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