Residents and business owners will have a chance to celebrate the completion of stage one of the Russell Street refresh at a special block party this weekend.
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said Saturday’s celebration was a way to thank businesses for their co-operation and patience during construction.
“This is a great opportunity for the Community to celebrate Russell Street being re-opened,” Cr Taylor said.
“There will be a host of free activities to take part in, plus some incredible music from local artists. We encourage everyone to come down and enjoy this free event.
“While the road has been open for about a month, crews are now finishing the final landscaping and streetscape works and general clean-up of the site.”
TRC Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said delivery of the project was a key outcome of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan.
“It’s pleasing to mark a major milestone in this project which will help transform one of the city’s oldest and most iconic streets into a vibrant people-friendly destination,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.
“The upgrade will help boost future economic development in our CBD and provide a key connection to the emerging Railway Parklands precinct and Queens Park.
“A big thank you to the Russell Street businesses for their co-operation and support during construction and I hope the Community shows their support for the businesses at this weekend’s street party.”
Rowes General Manager Paul McMahon said it was fortunate the Rowes redevelopment could be undertaken at the same time as Council’s streetscape works and that Rowes welcomed the opportunity to show the community its redevelopment.
“I think the Russell Street refresh really compliments our office, dining and retail precinct. Both these projects are helping breathe life back into the CBD and attracting business opportunities, tourists and locals,” Mr Rowe said.
“We’re so pleased Russell Street has re-opened to the public and are looking forward to celebrating with the other businesses and the Toowoomba Community on Saturday at the block party.
“A big thank you to Toowoomba locals for continuing to support our businesses while the Russell Street refresh works were underway, and the street was closed. It was a great show of community spirit.”
Stage two of the project, upgrading Russell Street from Ruthven to Neil Streets, is expected to take place from February to late 2022, weather permitting.
