Main Street vision beginning to take shape
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Over the last two weeks, a number of projects have been started in preparation for concrete and asphalt paving at Chancery Street and West Main Street, which is currently the primary concern. Monday, the first large section of concrete was poured inside the intersection, which officials hope to open back up next month.
“The actual visual portion of the street plan is taking shape,” said Main Street McMinnville director Chris Wilson. “All people have seen prior to this has been piles of dirt, crushed rock and holes. You couldn’t see much of anything, but now you actually can see where the roadway is, where the sidewalks are going, where the planters are and you can take the plan and see by the actual concrete that has been poured what the design with actually look like in reality.”
Over the past two weeks, sidewalks approaching the intersection at West Main and Chancery were poured. Concrete for sidewalks, curbs, tree wells and traffic signal poles on West Main Street were also poured. A number of related utility projects, including trenching and installation, also occurred.
The next two weeks will likely be busy ones as more concrete work takes place and more definition is made on road work.
“The reason for this is because of the deadline that is approaching for laying asphalt,” Wilson added. As previously reported, asphalt plants typically shut down during extended periods of cold weather and construction officials are hoping to put some of the asphalt down before that happens.
Over the next two weeks, construction officials hope to accomplish a number of projects, including installation of street light pole base foundations, installation of more concrete forms, trenching for and installation of electrical conduit and placing electrical wire in the conduit, the continuation of water line work and installation of a new storm sewer line down South Depot Street to East Colville Street.
Hopes are also to lay the asphalt base and binder on West Main Street, finish work on pouring concrete sidewalks on the east side of South Chancery Street, transfer new electrical services and have old services removed and move the existing water line in Court Square.
Downtown is typically a sign of the “health” of a community and can affect industrial recruitment efforts, Wilson added.
“Recruiters will often come downtown to see if it merits looking further into the community,” he said. “If your buildings are not kept up or maintained, it will have a negative effect on your community.”