Public meeting details plans for
Winchester street renovation
By BILL RICHMOND
City editor
Representatives of several downtown Winchester businesses attended an informational meeting Thursday evening to learn how an upcoming streetscaping project may affect their bottom lines. The meeting was sponsored by the city of Winchester and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and hosted by city officials, construction project engineers and contractors.
Besides getting answers to questions about the project, business persons and residents were able to view construction plans and learn about project features.
Winchester Mayor Steve Croyle said the city will work to reduce the impact on local businesses.
"We want to make the process easy and reduce any possible harmful effects as much as possible," he said.
Project engineer Matthew J. Pierce of Hannum, Wagle and Cline said the project will affect one block of Main Street south of Washington Street - from South to Franklin, and just over two blocks North of Washington - from Washington to the railroad tracks just north of Pearl Street. The project will include new streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters with new trees and streetlights that match those from a prior streetscaping of Washington St.
Pierce said construction work will start in early October on the southern part of the project in hopes of getting it completed by the time winter weather sets in. The north portion of the project will begin next spring with a projected completion date of May 15, 2009.
Croyle said the city won't allow two sections of the road to be torn up at the same time. Work on the southern portion will begin Oct. 5, after this year's Mardi Gras festival.
"If everything goes right and we don't have any huge surprises the first portion should be done in 40 days," Croyle said. "Work on the second portion will start at Washington Street and proceed north. That phase is due to begin April 1, 2009."
Melton's Tanning and Video owner Jim Melton said April is his busiest month as people begin tanning for summer and prom season is underway. He asked if customers will be able to enter his business.
A representative of LICA Construction of Berne, general contractor for the project, said customers may have to walk on a stone entrance way (in lieu of the sidewalk) and at times may not be able to park at the front door.
Other business owners expressed similar concerns and were assured the construction would not interrupt their ability to conduct commerce.
"I'm all for this," said Country Kitchen restaurant owner Joyce Caylor. "I understand the importance of downtown beautification and whatever it takes to get it done."
Croyle said Caylor has had enough bad fortune (with a recent barn fire) and the city will find a way for her to conduct business without interruption.
A representative of Mutual Federal Savings Bank said the street construction process will likely block access to the bank's ATM. Croyle took note of the point but did not seem to have an immediate solution.
According to INDOT, once pavement removal begins, North Main will be completely closed to traffic. The scope of the project calls for full-depth pavement replacement and new storm sewers, curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
The total project cost for roadway design and construction is $1.2 million of which the city of Winchester must pay $466,067. This does not include the cost of installing new sewage lines under the roadway.
Croyle said plans for the project will be on public display at the Winchester City Building and the Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce.
