Press Release: Downtown Streetscape Project to Resume Monday

The Downtown Streetscape Project in St. Albans is planned to resume construction on Monday, March 25.  A portion of the project was constructed in the fall of 2012, and work had ceased over the winter.  The project will be complete by September of 2013.

The Streetscape Project is an ambitious effort by the City of St. Albans to reinvigorate the public setting Downtown and construct a “Complete Streets” design along Main Street from Hudson Street to Stebbins Street.  The project will include new sidewalks, crosswalks, streetlights, trees and street furniture.  Work will also include new water, sewer and stormwater utilities, and the replacement of the traffic signal at Fairfield, Lake and Main Streets.

“This will be a significant improvement for Downtown,” says City Manager Dominic Cloud.  “Downtown Main Street will have a brand new look, adding marketability to our businesses and buildings, our underground utilities will have a much longer useful life, and our busiest intersection will be much better for traffic and pedestrians.”

The idea for the project was planted in 2009 with the Downtown Master Plan study commissioned by the City and the St. Albans for the Future nonprofit organization.  The City and SAFF then pursued the streetscape portion and other pieces of the master plan and formed a Master Plan Implementation Committee.  The project design benefitted from significant public input and the services of a team led by VHB, Inc.  The City’s new Downtown Board and the City Council approved the final design, and construction began in October of 2012 with general contracting provided by Don Weston Excavating of Williston, VT, and construction engineering provided by Ruggiano Engineering of St. Albans.

The total cost of the Downtown Streetscape Project is $3 million, with roughly $2.1 million provided by federal grants.

“This is the largest single public investment in Downtown in decades,” says Chip Sawyer Director of Planning & Development.  “And it is more than worth it.  Our community’s work to revitalize Downtown St. Albans has to incorporate the physical side of things, as well as the marketing and business development pieces.”

The City has been providing outreach to stakeholders most affected by the construction phase of the project.  Downtown businesses and offices will remain open during the project, and the construction crew will attempt to maintain access at all times.  Two-way traffic will be maintained on Main Street, until the paving portions in the fall.  Some parking will be lost temporarily during the construction, so the City will be allowing 2 ½ hour parking without a permit in the core parking lot and behind City Hall.  The City will also be sponsoring “Open for Business” media ads and assisting with retail promotions to help businesses during the project.  More information is available at www.stalbansvt.com/Streetscape.

Contact: Chip Sawyer, Director of Planning & Development, 802-524-1500 x259 c.sawyer@stalbansvt.com 

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