Streetscape primed to redefine Downtown
Excavation to start soon for water and sewer lines
After years in the planning, work begins next week on the City of Auburn’s Streetscape project. “The notice to proceed is July 6 and the contractor — Cook Engineering of Rancho Cordova — anticipates bringing in equipment on July 7 and 8,” said Carie Huff, associate civil engineer with the Department of Public Works, on Monday. There has already been a little prep work. On Monday, Andregg Geomatics, an Auburn surveying firm, marked sites for the art monuments, fire pit, flagpole and Christmas tree locations. “That was just a little side job they did,” Huff said. “It’s a visual representation for the Auburn Arts Commission. The city will be handling surveying services.” Once a fenced staging area is in place, initial work will focus on utilities and stormwater flood prevention. Huff estimates that excavation and demolition will start within the first couple of weeks for water and sewer lines. Crews will also begin grinding existing asphalt and removing some of the curb and gutter sidewalk starting with the area fronting Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of Lincoln Way and High Street. “That’s where the major utilities are,” she said. PG&E will have crews working at the site at the same time. Traffic controls could be in place as early as the end of next week. “There will be detours,” Huff said. “There will be at least one lane of traffic open at all times, but expect delays if you are driving a car (into Downtown).” The city’s goal is to minimize the impact of construction to businesses. “Businesses will remain open and there will be access to all businesses at all times,” she said. That access will be temporary walkways for some stores as construction progresses. Huff allayed concerns about possible power and water outages. “The switchover will be fairly seamless with no disruption to service,” she said. “If there is (a disruption), it would be at night.” In the event of planned outages, customers will receive an advance notice. Phase I of Streetscape is budgeted at $2,227,378 and includes reconfiguring the Lincoln Way-High Street intersection into a four-way stop, widening sidewalks and creating the plaza. Price tag for the 10-phase project — stretching from Elm Street to the Historic Courthouse — is estimated at more than $20 million. The first phase will take approximately 130 working days to complete, with the actual pouring of the plaza likely to be in September, Huff said. Kids Closet on Lincoln Way will have a ringside seat for the construction and store Owner Denise Cardona said she’s pleased the project is getting started. “Once it’s done, it will be wonderful,” she said. Despite reassurance that there will be minimal impact to businesses around the site, she’s still a little concerned. “We’re worried about parking because people unload heavy items here,” store associate Michelle Sardella said. Still, Cardona emphasized that the end result definitely outweighs the inconvenience. “It may impact the store during the process, but we’re excited about the outcome,” she said. The Journal’s Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com or comment at Auburnjournal.com
|
Change Location:
|
Doesn't a fire pit indicate burning of fuel that produces carbon? Shouldn't we "spare the air"? Repair the streets that are full of chuck holes, make the area more open by the use of underground utilities and stop the nonsensical novelty of mis-placed design referred to as art. This is gold country above the fog and below the snow nothing more is necessary.
The only one's that think this is a worthwhile project is the City Council and whoever else staands to make a profit. At least the vacant properties aren't vocal. What's up with that? Surveyors mapping out the places " marked sites for the art monuments, fire pit, flagpole and Christmas tree locations." They are way out of touch with the realities of this city. I bet they have already chosen the statues and "Art".
Why a fire pit? Can we barbeque there?
The money would be better spent repairing the Lincoln Creek stream that runs under nearly every building on the west side of High Street, from above Hoffman Ave. to Tasuda's. Do any of you remember the sink hole that happened in the old PG&E, now Auburn Journal Parking lot a while back? Look at the cracks in the curb and gutter next to the drop inlet in front of Wells Fargo's ATM machine.
As near as I can tell, the stream starts up near Electric Street, and joines another stream in front of the Shanghi, then under all those buildings at the old Post Office, the old Fire House, and joins the Auburn Ravine in a tunnel under the freeway at Nevada Street.
As a side light, I wonder how the Salmon are going to make it through that tunnel from the old sewer plant to Maple Street.
richwise
We have been reading about Street Scape with curiosity and hope, since we live in the downtown area and over the past 5 years have watched as it has taken a turn for the worse. However, reading that the plans are for a 4-way stop at High and Lincoln Way, we have to wonder. It seems a traffic nightmare waiting to happen. Please tell us that there will be a signal at the intersection and not stop signs.
The narrowing of the streets along with the proverbial clock tower blockage will really enhance driving through town. There will be stop lights and a lot of street art, I might even give them an old wheelbarrow to use as a planter.