Kelly Nordin is beefing up the steaks in his downtown investment.
Delays in a massive renovation project at The Keg Restaurant have been sorted out, said owner Nordin, and construction plans are now on a firm schedule with a bigger dollar figure.
"It is now in excess of $3 million," he told The Citizen. "We will get underway in spring, and we expect to be finished in September."
Delays due to engineering issues after he underestimated elements of the city's Works and Services Agreement have been resolved.
"I have never purchased land from the city before," said Nordin, who is an experienced commercial property developer and business owner apart from his Prince George venture with The Keg.
"I have never had to factor in altered water drainage and changing the location of sewer pipes and water intake pipes. The city was anxious to get it done, everyone was co-operating, it cost more than I anticipated, but it was just the nature of the project. It is all done now, we just have to wait for the spring weather."
He added the situation has not hindered his relationship with the city.
"There was no bad guy or villain in any of this," said Nordin.
Nordin purchased the sidewalk and parking spaces immediately in front of the restaurant where two trees are growing, and will be used for a new patio.
Some of the delays pertained to rerouting the drainage and pipes under the pavement, plus how to arrange surface features within the proposed patio area, without damaging the root systems of the trees.
In the end, it couldn't be done. The trees will have to go, said Nordin, but he is compensating for the loss by planting two new trees in better places on the restaurant grounds, and a green wall will also be planted along the south face of the building.
A green wall is an environmental architecture feature that acts as a living layer of insulation - cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
"We haven't decided on what all we are going to plant there," said The Kegs interior designer Cheryl Watson. "We are looking into evergreen vines, we are considering colours so it will be a visual element in all seasons, and also help filter the oxygen from car exhaust."
The delays and the considerable mount of money are indications, said Nordin, that he considers Prince George a viable economy for a long time to come.
"This town is worth the investment. I wouldn't have put all this time and bank all this money if I didn't truly believe that."
