Waterloo council recap: University Ave. enhancement, six storeys on Erb, improving snow clean-up

Monday night's meeting of Waterloo city council was headlined by some big spending to spruce up University Avenue. 

Council approved a $600,000 project to enhance the overall streetscape and make University Ave. a more people-focused area. 

The changes will bring new signage, intersection markings, and a new plaza in place of an existing parking lot between University Ave. and the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music building. 

The city will partner with the Region and WLU on the project, which stems from the University Avenue Gateway Strategy that was approved last year. 

Council also approved a new development set for Erb Street West. 

The green light has been given for a six storey multi-residential building that will contain 93 units, 84 parking spots, and 58 bike parking spots. 

This new building will go up between Amos Avenue and University Avenue West. 

And, as we look ahead to the spring and summer months, council also talked about winter at Monday's meeting. 

Staff has been directed to explore the possibility of bringing in contracted help for any major snowfall events to help with clearing intersections, sidewalks, and city-owned parking lots within the uptown. 

The City of Waterloo is also working on a campaign to communicate service levels and time-stamped clearance expectations for individual snow events.