MONROE - Drivers may soon see more colorful signage standing at entrance to the construction zone on 8th and 9th streets.
"I understand the need for the road blocks, but we could decorate them." said Jeff Hanson, manager of Cedar Green Apartments, said Friday after a construction report meeting at city hall.
A newly forming coalition of business owners, battling sagging sales they attribute to construction on the 8th and 9th street corridor, walked away pleased with the city's response to their requests for some help Friday.
Pam Christopher, director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Al Gerber, city engineer supervisor, indicated they would attend the group's meeting July 26 at the Blue Ox to hear more about the problems the businesses have faced.
"I think it will help," Hanson said.
Hanson, initiator of the coalition, said the Chamber had contacted some but not all businesses during the construction process. Cedar Green Apartment was one business not contacted.
"Here is why we have the Friday meetings," Christopher said.
Gerber said he was happy to see the business owners attend the construction update report meetings. While inspections are made daily and more intensely on Friday after work on the road shuts down, "we don't have eyes on every little spot," he said.
"If something needs to be addressed, don't hesitate to come in or call and leave a message," he added. "We are always open to hear concerns, and we try to address them as soon as possible."
At the report meeting Friday, the group expressed the need for better directions to the businesses and apartment complexes that have been behind road blocks since construction began in mid-March.
Barry Larson, the project engineer for the Department of Transportation, said he had checked before the project began and assured the businesses had permission to put any signs below the road closure signs.
Larson believes life for the businesses and their customers should start to improve soon.
"We're through with excavation, and what has been excavated has rock (gravel) on it," he said. "Now we'll be dealing with curbs and gutters."
During the laying of concrete curbs and gutters, at least one access will be open to any business along the route, Larson said.
Businesses with only one driveway will be "bridged" to allow access.
Larson and Gerber also assured owners that street crossing will not be closed down for more than half a day when asphalt is being laid starting in September.
Putting down about two miles of sidewalks will take a great amount of time, according the Gerber, because it involves more "hand work."
The projected date for traffic to start flowing on the road again is about mid-October.
A meeting of the 8th and 9th Street Business Coalition is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 26 at the Blue Ox restaurant. For more information, contact Jeff Hanson at 325-5265.
City construction report meetings are scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday each week.
"I understand the need for the road blocks, but we could decorate them." said Jeff Hanson, manager of Cedar Green Apartments, said Friday after a construction report meeting at city hall.
A newly forming coalition of business owners, battling sagging sales they attribute to construction on the 8th and 9th street corridor, walked away pleased with the city's response to their requests for some help Friday.
Pam Christopher, director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Al Gerber, city engineer supervisor, indicated they would attend the group's meeting July 26 at the Blue Ox to hear more about the problems the businesses have faced.
"I think it will help," Hanson said.
Hanson, initiator of the coalition, said the Chamber had contacted some but not all businesses during the construction process. Cedar Green Apartment was one business not contacted.
"Here is why we have the Friday meetings," Christopher said.
Gerber said he was happy to see the business owners attend the construction update report meetings. While inspections are made daily and more intensely on Friday after work on the road shuts down, "we don't have eyes on every little spot," he said.
"If something needs to be addressed, don't hesitate to come in or call and leave a message," he added. "We are always open to hear concerns, and we try to address them as soon as possible."
At the report meeting Friday, the group expressed the need for better directions to the businesses and apartment complexes that have been behind road blocks since construction began in mid-March.
Barry Larson, the project engineer for the Department of Transportation, said he had checked before the project began and assured the businesses had permission to put any signs below the road closure signs.
Larson believes life for the businesses and their customers should start to improve soon.
"We're through with excavation, and what has been excavated has rock (gravel) on it," he said. "Now we'll be dealing with curbs and gutters."
During the laying of concrete curbs and gutters, at least one access will be open to any business along the route, Larson said.
Businesses with only one driveway will be "bridged" to allow access.
Larson and Gerber also assured owners that street crossing will not be closed down for more than half a day when asphalt is being laid starting in September.
Putting down about two miles of sidewalks will take a great amount of time, according the Gerber, because it involves more "hand work."
The projected date for traffic to start flowing on the road again is about mid-October.
A meeting of the 8th and 9th Street Business Coalition is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 26 at the Blue Ox restaurant. For more information, contact Jeff Hanson at 325-5265.
City construction report meetings are scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday each week.