September 13, 2019 - With timing of initial construction sliding into mid-Sept, the City and contractor have today mutually agreed to postpone major demolition until the day following the Poultry Festival. This should avoid any imposition on the annual event or unnecessary hazardous situations. This extra two weeks will also allow the contractor sufficient time to guarantee initial deliveries so as to minimize any period between demolition and commencing installation of new materials.
August 26, 2019 - Construction on the much-anticipated Center Downtown Streetscape project is set to begin the week of September 2, 2019. The $3.9 million project was awarded to The Fain Group who has experience with similar projects in Ennis and Granbury.
"The City Council took the bold step to self-fund this project," said Center Mayor David Chadwick. "This project is not meant to just make our Downtown pretty but to encourage additional investment in the City."
Streetscape
The construction area will include all public infrastructure from the Courthouse retaining wall to business storefronts. Major components of construction include resurfacing of all roadways and parking with adjusted grades to improve surface drainage, reinstalling previous mid-block crosswalks including handicap access and parking stalls, removing the varying grade changesbetween parking and storefronts, adapting all four intersections to provide safer pedestrian crossings, and transitioning to three way stops.
In addition to traffic components, this project includes beautification of the entire area by replacing all street light fixtures, adding landscaping with irrigation and expanding sidewalks at storefronts and including landings at each intersection. "We have been fortunate to have assembled a great team for design from White Oak Studios in Houston, the engineering from Everett Griffith in Lufkin, and The Fain Group," explained Center City Manager Chad Nehring.
Video published in November 2012 about the Streetscape Project
Construction will be divided into four distinct segments comprised of one intersection and half blocks in each direction. The initial construction zone will include the intersection of San Augustine and Austin and extend one-half block up each street. Upon substantial completion of that quadrant, construction will proceed clockwise around the square concluding with the Shelbyville St corner. After completion of the major roadwork and sidewalks, the landscaping and lighting with be finished. Construction should last approximately three months for each quadrant and be completed near September, 2020. Detour signage will be placed to assist drivers to avoid the intersection under construction. Existing sidewalk access to all businesses will be available throughout the entirety of the project but adjacent parking will be impacted.
"Once this project is complete, Center will have a beautiful community heart that will rival any other town," Chadwick concluded.
For more information, the master plan for the downtown square with detailed renderings of this project can be viewed at the City's website - www.centertexas.org.
