Main Street Batesville Downtown Work Progress Schedule Starts tomorrow, Jan. 23
Main Street Batesville Downtown Work Progress Schedule – Starts tomorrow, Monday Jan. 23 – Exciting to be so close to completion!
Residents of Independence County, Batesville and surrounding communities and even other states have all been eye witnesses to the change going on in DOWNTOWN BATESVILLE on MAIN STREET. It has been an ongoing community project involving many facets of the city and county dedication to rejuvenating Main Street. We are all so excited that the project is nearly complete and will be ready for all to enjoy to the fullest, and soon! Bob Carius graciously sent the information below to help inform every one of the schedule and express appreciation to everyone involved in any way. Mr. Carius will help us keep you informed, and submit timely info and data.
“The mission of Main Street Batesville is to promote the community of Batesville and its citizens’ quality of life by maintaining and enhancing the historic downtown business district and by encouraging the preservation and revitalization of that district.”
Progress – What is progress? Well, if you are redecorating or painting your home, it is a mess, it is almost uninhabitable, but because it will be so worth it, you simply have a cup of coffee, smile, chat on your phone, take a hike, take a deep breath, AND understand these good things take time, and before you know it – YOU ARE LIVING AMIDST THE BEAUTIFUL IDEA YOU ONCE ONLY IMAGINED! Ok, Batesville Main Street, we are all behind you!
Progress per Bob Carius:
The latest information and timelines for the streetscape is as follows:
The curbing contractor will commence work tomorrow, January 23rd, Monday, taking measurements for the streetscape starting at 8 am. He estimates it will take two weeks per block. Thus, this is a tentative work schedule: library block — 23 Jan. to 3 Feb. Barnett block — 6 Feb. to 17 Feb. courthouse block — 20 Feb. to 3 Mar. Melba block — 6 Mar. to 17 Mar. These dates can easily slip with weather delays or unforeseen problems with underground pipes.
The contractor understands the need to keep the streets open as much as possible. He will block off one block at a time that he is working on. In the evening he will open that block to traffic.
The city will follow him to lay down underground irrigation pipes and conduit for eventual electrical power to the green areas. As soon as that schedule is available, it will be passed on. It is estimated that this work will take a week per block, but could be shorter.
The top asphalt coat will follow the above work. It would appear that it will be done in late April or early May when the weather is warm enough for this type of work. This effort will proceed fast taking perhaps a week for all 5 blocks. Striping of the street will follow.
The green areas will have the vegetation added at various times during the entire construction. This could lead to a final dedication of the streetscape in May or as late as June.
Rain delays will occur and if the temperature drops too low they may not pour concrete although they have blankets to cover and cure the concrete properly if that is required.
We are still accepting donations for The People’s Block (Melba). The citizens of the county will donate (tax deductible) all of the funds for the construction of this block. This will allow those citizens to participate in a positive way in this re-vitalization and the banks and other organizations will not be permitted to assist since they have done several blocks already.
Bronze Memorial Wall Coming Soon –
If a person donates more than $500, that person’s name or the name that that person desires to be remembered will appear on a large bronze plaque. It will be attached to a wall to be constructed, similar to the Gateway leading to Main Street. This wall most likely will be in the Barnett block. All contributions, regardless of amount, will be acknowledged in the local news media. We are half-way to our goal of $25,000 to pay for this construction and suggest that this is a wonderful way to honor someone since their name will be etched in this bronze plaque into perpetuity. Any help you can provide in this effort will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be mailed to Main Street Batesville at P.O. Box 3967, Batesville, 72503. Please indicate on the check that it is for the streetscape. Many thanks.
Our new Executive Director, Shannon Haney, will be posting frequent pictures on Main Street’s Facebook indicating the progress.
Progress is messy so bear with us for this final push to complete the streetscape.
We Shall Prevail,
Bob
