Downtown work on tap
By: Donna Osborn, Headliner News 02/11/2004OZARK--It's been talked about, planned for, engineered and anticipated. And beginning Feb.16 Ozark will see the first dirt moved in a $430,000 downtown improvement project.
For Mayor Donna McQuay that anticipation has turned to pride.
"I am full of pride," she said. "I've waited to see the Norman Rockwell vision of a bustling downtown and now I am seeing it."
McQuay is anxious to watch and enjoy the improvements."I am as anxious as everyone else to see the dirt starting to turn," she said. "The sewer and water lines won't be visible, but the pavers and trees are aesthetic, visible improvements. And we've gone from one restaurant downtown to four-Fox's, La Fiesta, The Firehouse Cafe and the Coffee Bean. It does mean we're moving."
Business owners and interested citizens got the moving details from City Administrator Collin Quigley Feb. 5 at an informational meeting at City Hall. But before that happened, Quigley thanked those responsible "You signed a commitment and thanks to you we have a commitment from the state," Quigley said. "We'll be replacing sidewalks and (making) water and sewer improvements."
The majority of the cost for the improvements will be paid for through a matching $300,000 community development block grant from the state's Department of Economic Development. Property owners committed a matching $300,000 in improvements to their buildings. That commitment was necessary before the state would award the grant. The city will pony up the balance of the project that includes:
*Water and sewer lines on Third Street
*Brick sidewalk pavers on a portion of the west and north sides of the square
*Lighting, planters and curb cuts
The city's engineer for the project, Mike Zimmerman, said the paving bricks and curb cuts meet American Disability Standards. The design will require city maintenance, but will enhance the aesthetics of the square and increase parking spaces.
Grant writer Annette Darnell said there is another $100,000 available and to take advantage of that state money, the city needs another equal commitment from the property owners. Because the majority of the expense involves the water and sewer improvements, that money would complete the second phase of the project- the remainder of Church Street to Second Avenue and Second Avenue to Elm.
"That $100,000 will go a lot farther," Quigley said. "We hope to get the county to do the inside of the square."
Darnell said all property owners on the square can commit to improvements, furnish receipts and be counted towards the additional $100,000 available.
"To be eligible (you) will commit to work on (your) building downtown," she said. "Be on the square and sign an agreement and it will count."
While those commitments come in, the first work will start on Third Street, Zimmerman said. The sidewalk construction will start sometime in March and every effort will be made not to impede business traffic, Quigley said.
"We are not going to impede anyone's business," he said.
Bath Creations owner Joan Smith liked what she heard. Her small shop beckons from the corner of Third and Church streets-with bubbles.
"It sounds beautiful, just beautiful," she said. "I think it is exciting and I believe that we could be a little Eureka Springs with streets you can walk on. That is why we have a little bubble machine outside."
©Ozarks Newsstand 2004
