| Richard’s Toggery was selected as the “most welcoming” backdoor as businesses in Price work towards assisting their customers during the construction project of Main Street. |
The City of Price embarked on the second phase of its Main Street improvement project earlier this month and as of this week only the first two blocks are closed to traffic.
The three blocks affected will be Main Street from Carbon Avenue east to 300 East. The first portion was completed five years ago from Carbon Avenue west to Carbonville Road, under the overpass. This phase is only expected to take 90 days.
According to City Engineer Gary Sonntag this is a Department of Transportation project funded by federal aid monies, which is geared to assist small urban road programs. The bid was awarded by UDOT to H. E. Davis & Sons in the amount of $859,430.
In the meantime many businesses that have back-door entrances into their building are encouraging customers to use the “alleys” and visit the businesses through a more convenient route.
The city has arranged and designated a few additional parking areas to assist the businesses during the construction period. These areas are located on both sides of the project.
Business employees as well as customers are encouraged to use public parking behind the businesses or park on the street right-of-ways that are not impacted by the construction.
Sidewalks are not going to be replaced so there will still be access to the businesses along Main Street.
Gary Sonntag arranged with the planning department to allow flexibility with the sign code ordinance. Directional information is assisting vehicles and walkers in search of entrances and public parking lots within the downtown area while the construction is underway.
The Sun Advocate proposed a contest to all Main Street business affected by the construction encouraging them to take effort to make their back entrances more “welcoming”. Judging of this was last Saturday and Richard’s Toggery was selected as the winner. Other businesses receiving votes included Lewis’s Jewelry, Breinholt Music and Pocketful of Sunshine.
A downtown block party was schedule last Saturday at Peace Memorial Gardens but was cancelled at noon because of rain, snow and wind. Although the one last week was cancelled there are plans for two additional parties, once being planned in May and another i in June. The parties are cosponsored by the Sun Advocate and the City of Price.
Mae Aguayo did a great job organizing the volunteers and food, while Neil Breinholt set up the three youth bands. They had to canceled because the rain made it unsafe to perform.
In an earlier story it was reported that Sonntag also addressed the irrigation issue and said that cross streets on Carbon Avenue, First, Second and Third East will have the irrigation drainage pipes replaced.
“Consequently, there will be an impact to irrigation water flows during the construction period,” he said, adding, “the city will make every effort to work with contractors to reestablish the piping quickly so irrigation schedules can stay as close to normal as possible.”
The contractor began with the first block by excavating and improving the road from curb to curb which includes removal of all asphalt, concrete curb to gutter, sewer and water mains and respective laterals.
Crews have begun installing new water and sewer mains and respective existing services on this block and will continue the next two blocks as they are ready. The road subgrade and pavement will be reconstructed along with new curb and gutters on either side of the street. Street conduit will be installed within the intersections of First and Second East in preparation for future traffic signals.
Electrical conduit will also be installed on either side of the street for future street light replacements and the removal of overhead power lines. Storm drainage pipes will be replaced at each of the intersections.