Published: November 05, 2009 08:59 pm      

Hazel Street to see transformation

DANVILLE — Downtown streetscape projects will spread to Hazel Street next spring.

The city is now seeking bids for Hazel Street downtown pedestrian access improvements.

City Engineer David Schnelle said because of city-received stimulus funding, it’s freed up about $200,000 in Community Block Development Program funds and the city also has about $200,000 in additional local gas tax funds for the improvements.

The project will improve pedestrian access between Main and North streets by replacing deteriorated sidewalk.

Other design improvements to approve the appearance of Hazel Street: decrease the pavement width by moving the existing curb lines in; install plantings, trees, shrubs, perennials, grass and ground cover in the newly created buffer strips by decreasing the width of Hazel Street; remove existing concrete and steel light poles and replace with ornamental style light poles matching those of Main and Vermilion streets; and rework the city-owned parking lot across the street from Vermilion Place to make it meet current landscaping ordinance requirements and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Also planned: increase the sidewalk width around Vermilion Place and the Gold Rush Pawn Shop to provide for their activities; create pedestrian curb bump outs and cross walks at Van Buren to cross Hazel, and all four corners of North and Hazel; and install ADA curb ramps at all streets and alleys.

Public Works Director Doug Ahrens said this will help seniors walking from the Wolford to Towne Centre in addition to providing better pedestrian accommodations overall.

According to city officials, the initial project scope was just to remove and replace sidewalk. After meeting with stakeholders in the downtown area, it was decided to make a “green” project by including the landscaping, which will have the long-term impact of beautifying the street and improving the pedestrian experience.

Sam Cole, a city engineer, managed the design project.

Bid opening is set for Dec. 7, with construction following in the spring.