Extensive cracking in Footscray’s Nicholson Street mall will cost more than $2 million to repair, according to a Maribyrnong council report.
About $5 million was spent on a major mall upgrade in 2008, but the pavement began cracking and chipping soon after work was completed.
The council obtained a $1.4 million settlement against the designers and contractors in 2013 and money for repairs was allocated in this year’s budget.
But a report to last night’s city development council meeting revealed the money would cover only part of the repair.
The report outlined three options but recommended spending a further $750,000 to fully repave the mall at a total cost of about $2.15 million.
The report said this option would give the mall a “new and consistent paved surface” that would last at least 20 years.
The works also include providing free wi-fi, seasonal flower planters and up to two new kiosks, along with removal of a central planter and two trees dating back to the original 1970s mall.
The works will go to tender in October and are planned to take place from February to August next year.
