It's here!
E&N Hughes began the Streetscaping work June 8 on the Square following confirmation that the state loan sought was available and the TIF performance strong enough to pay it back. Construction began at the northeast corner to tie in water to the new main and to replace the storm sewer there. Bed rock and rain made work a bit more complicated than expected, but did not prevent the crew from moving on to the east side street and sidewalks by June 22.
The first week of the water/storm sewer work put the promise of fluid traffic around the Square during the Streetscape to its test. I cannot say it started out as smoothly as hoped, but can report no casualties as all downtown residents, business employees and visitors experienced a sharp learning curve in reaching their destinations.
To be honest, it is not uncommon (ask anyone on the Square or residents on the side streets) for vehicles to occasionally go astray due to an incomplete understanding of our one-way traffic patterns under normal conditions. Driving downtown at the start of June was definitely "out of the box" and some interesting rescue moves were observed - often with guidance by a crewman or pedestrian. The good news is that the crossovers created to keep traffic fluid during this first stage will be repeated for each subsequent corner, so we'll all get plenty of practice. And it's nice to know local help was available to those drivers caught off guard temporarily.
What a sight to view the first sidewalk, in front of Chocolate Temptations, being carefully pulled away by the back claw early that June 22nd morning. Later, the Schultz Pharmacy sidewalk met its demise a bit more aggressively as huge chunks of it fell into the empty coal vault below. The stretch of the east side from Bob's Pub to the Dilly Bean was completed in just one week of demolition and refill.
Most significant is the attitude, prevalent throughout the downtown, that "Open for Business" is the standard. Back door entrances have been made available as needed. In addition, Schultz Pharmacy will deliver prescriptions in Monroe throughout the construction. There is a great attitude around the Square overall, making me very proud of the people I serve.
Honestly, this project had me terrified as it loomed closer and closer. Not that I wanted to share this then, but will admit to it now. What if the plan didn't work? What if businesses decided to close during construction or customers and clients stayed away? Well, so far, so good. While I fully expect surprises as we continue, I am absolutely confident of the will of the businesses, tolerance of the residents and support for the downtown by all of Monroe.
Just watching the E&N Hughes crew work its machines and trucks in tandem has been fascinating. Observing crew members helping pedestrian traffic to travel safely over rough terrain and across intersections - priceless!
It also is important to note that the Market on the Square continues to bring consumers to the Square and that participation of area growers and producers has grown this year over last. They will be flexible to move as needed over this season, but plan to continue to provide quality products, going with the flow. The Concerts on the Square also have not suffered from some street inconvenience, only weather. Horsefeathers met with great outdoor attendance on June 11. Red Hot Dixie was moved to the Middle School when dangerous storm activity developed late afternoon Thursday and received a standing ovation at the end of its performance by the crowd that followed them to shelter last Thursday.
History is being made in the heart of our community. Check out MonroeMainStreet.Org for latest news on the project, Mary Soddy's photos and my bad video (though they should get better now that I have a tripod), and please come, watch us build! You are not likely to see the likes of this again.
- Barb Nelson is director of Monroe Main Street. She writes a monthly update on the organization for the Monroe Times. She can be reached at 328-4023.
E&N Hughes began the Streetscaping work June 8 on the Square following confirmation that the state loan sought was available and the TIF performance strong enough to pay it back. Construction began at the northeast corner to tie in water to the new main and to replace the storm sewer there. Bed rock and rain made work a bit more complicated than expected, but did not prevent the crew from moving on to the east side street and sidewalks by June 22.
The first week of the water/storm sewer work put the promise of fluid traffic around the Square during the Streetscape to its test. I cannot say it started out as smoothly as hoped, but can report no casualties as all downtown residents, business employees and visitors experienced a sharp learning curve in reaching their destinations.
To be honest, it is not uncommon (ask anyone on the Square or residents on the side streets) for vehicles to occasionally go astray due to an incomplete understanding of our one-way traffic patterns under normal conditions. Driving downtown at the start of June was definitely "out of the box" and some interesting rescue moves were observed - often with guidance by a crewman or pedestrian. The good news is that the crossovers created to keep traffic fluid during this first stage will be repeated for each subsequent corner, so we'll all get plenty of practice. And it's nice to know local help was available to those drivers caught off guard temporarily.
What a sight to view the first sidewalk, in front of Chocolate Temptations, being carefully pulled away by the back claw early that June 22nd morning. Later, the Schultz Pharmacy sidewalk met its demise a bit more aggressively as huge chunks of it fell into the empty coal vault below. The stretch of the east side from Bob's Pub to the Dilly Bean was completed in just one week of demolition and refill.
Most significant is the attitude, prevalent throughout the downtown, that "Open for Business" is the standard. Back door entrances have been made available as needed. In addition, Schultz Pharmacy will deliver prescriptions in Monroe throughout the construction. There is a great attitude around the Square overall, making me very proud of the people I serve.
Honestly, this project had me terrified as it loomed closer and closer. Not that I wanted to share this then, but will admit to it now. What if the plan didn't work? What if businesses decided to close during construction or customers and clients stayed away? Well, so far, so good. While I fully expect surprises as we continue, I am absolutely confident of the will of the businesses, tolerance of the residents and support for the downtown by all of Monroe.
Just watching the E&N Hughes crew work its machines and trucks in tandem has been fascinating. Observing crew members helping pedestrian traffic to travel safely over rough terrain and across intersections - priceless!
It also is important to note that the Market on the Square continues to bring consumers to the Square and that participation of area growers and producers has grown this year over last. They will be flexible to move as needed over this season, but plan to continue to provide quality products, going with the flow. The Concerts on the Square also have not suffered from some street inconvenience, only weather. Horsefeathers met with great outdoor attendance on June 11. Red Hot Dixie was moved to the Middle School when dangerous storm activity developed late afternoon Thursday and received a standing ovation at the end of its performance by the crowd that followed them to shelter last Thursday.
History is being made in the heart of our community. Check out MonroeMainStreet.Org for latest news on the project, Mary Soddy's photos and my bad video (though they should get better now that I have a tripod), and please come, watch us build! You are not likely to see the likes of this again.
- Barb Nelson is director of Monroe Main Street. She writes a monthly update on the organization for the Monroe Times. She can be reached at 328-4023.
