Downtown Cresco Construction set to begin on July 5
Mon, 07/03/2023 - 8:46am
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By:
Dan Evans TPD Publisher
CRESCO - Downtown Cresco area businesses are getting ready for long-awaited construction to start on creating a new look on Elm Street’s business district.
The project design will feature:
• All existing sidewalks along North Elm Street from 1st Ave. to 3rd Ave. will be removed and replaced.
• The existing colored crosswalks will be removed and replaced with gray concrete. There will be six walkways completed across Elm Street, with others going across 2nd Ave., North Park Place and 1st Avenue.
• Two feet of curb will be removed and replaced.
• Pedestrian curb ramps will be installed at each intersection.
• Water service shut-offs (curb stops) will be replaced as needed.
• Storm sewer intakes will be reconstructed as needed.
• Statues and planter beds will be temporarily removed during the project and relocated to approximately their original locations. All was already removed a few weeks back.
There will be five phases in place for the construction to begin in the least non-commercial areas with Phase 1 taking place in front of the Howard County Courthouse, followed by Phase 2, which will be the block heading north from Hwy. 9 and through the block where CUSB to Hometown Accounting is located. Phase 3 will be the final block on the east side of the street. The construction will then continue from Hwy. 9 and Fareway north to Atomic Pizza with the final Phase 5 being from Leutholds Clothing to Billmyer Furniture.
During each Phase, according to Cresco Public Works Director Nate Widell, traffic will continue in both directions and parking will be allowed on the opposite side. “Some street closures will happen when the crosswalks are poured and curing.”
Reconstruction will start on Wednesday, July 5 with the first phase and will continue for 15 to 17 weeks, depending on the weather.
Hired as the Project Contractor is Wicks Construction Inc. from Decorah, with funding provided by the City of Cresco with local funds and special assessments also being issued/used. Ann Schick will be the onsite construction observer for the project and will be onsite daily to observe the construction and to answer any questions.
