City reopens George Street block

The 300 block of George Street is back open for business, after being closed for approximately two weeks.

Owners and operators of five small businesses on the block said the extended closure was killing business at their establishments (see the front page story in yesterday's Citizen for more details). City utility engineering supervisor Kristy Brown said construction of the downtown district energy system has moved on to the 200 block of George Street.

"We just opened up Third Avenue at George Street. Second [Avenue] and George Street is closed as of today," Brown said. "As far as the district energy system goes, we are taking a week and a half per block. It's the streetlight installation that is in front of the bakery."

The installation of ornamental streetlights on George Street was timed to coincide with the district energy system to minimize the disturbance to businesses on the street, Brown said. However, work on the streetlights won't be done until mid-October.

Large concrete bases and electrical conduits need to be installed for the lights, she said, which requires significant disturbance to the street.

Brown said she understands business owners are frustrated by the disturbance, but the goal is to have all work - including paving - completed by the end of October

"I realize it's frustrating for everybody," she said. "I'm not sure how long it's going to going to take to do the paving. [But] because the paving plants close before the end of October, it needs to be done before then."

Brown said she will continue to talk with local businesses effected by the projects.