The streetscape will be designed and the construction phased to minimize disruption to business activities.

 

A primary goal of this project is to keep all shops open during construction. The City, the consultant team and business owners are committed to achieving this goal. Monthly progress meetings, while open to everyone, are regularly scheduled for the second Friday of each month at 8:00AM for the convenience of shop owners.

As detailed engineering begins in early 2008, a series of working sessions will be held with small groups of adjacent shop owners and property owners to refine the details of the street and sidewalk area fronting each building. A second series of working sessions in the spring will focus on the particulars of each business to develop construction strategies that minimize disruption to parking, deliveries and peak sales periods.

All the while, a joint committee of the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association will be working with the city to develop a strategic business vitality and marketing plan. Small business assistance — low-interest loans, counseling, training sessions and workshops — will be available through the duration of construction.

Special events, promotions, advertising, kiosks, directional signs and online services will help draw islanders and others downtown while construction is underway. A construction office will be staffed all day to immediately address any issues or concerns that may arise.

The construction management team, the City and adjacent property owners will also be developing a strategy to deal with parking issues during construction. Although parking on the street will be temporarily displaced while the street is reconstructed, temporary parking lots, designated off-site contractor parking and shuttle services are just a few of the ideas that are being considered as interim solutions.