Streets to close for resurfacing

n The improvement project should be complete in two weeks.

Abby Trinidad/Special to the Herald-Leader Dawn Denton, right, recently planted flowers in the new downtown bump-outs with the help of city employees.

Abby Trinidad/Special to the Herald-Leader Dawn Denton, right, recently planted flowers in the new downtown bump-outs with the help of city employees.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

The vision for the downtown improvement project is just two weeks away from becoming a reality, but there are a few more steps to be completed before the project is finished.

On Monday and Tuesday, downtown streets will be fog sealed -- or resurfaced -- to create a clean surface for striping parking spaces, according to a press release from the city. The stripes are scheduled to be painted on Sunday, May 20. The work will create some street closures, the press release states.

Cars will need to be removed from the following locations for the following dates:

• Monday, May 14 — no parking on Broadway

• Tuesday, May 15 — no parking on downtown side streets (Alpine, Central and University Streets from Mt. Olive to Maxwell)

• Sunday, May 20 — no parking throughout downtown streets (Broadway Street and all side streets)

The street improvement project is the second step of implementing the Downtown Master Plan. Construction on the approximately $490,000 project began in January and includes the addition of traffic-calming bump-outs at three intersections, the construction of masonry walls for landscaped areas, stamped concrete crosswalks, drainage improvements, fog sealing, angled parking and re-striping.

"The improvements downtown are an exciting improvement because it was envisioned by the community and developed for the community," said Kelsey Howard, director of Main Street Siloam Springs. "This project dates back to 2013 when Main Street Siloam Springs began to facilitate the creation of a Siloam Springs Downtown and Connectivity Master Plan. Published in 2014, this plan outlines ways our downtown can improve, and increasing pedestrian safety downtown was an important goal.

"The development of the Master Plan involved multiple public meetings, and by the end of the planning process over 500 voices from the Siloam Springs community were heard. The community should be proud that their voice made a difference, and Main Street is grateful to the city of Siloam Springs for their partnership and initiative to make this particular vision a reality."

City staff worked hard to wrap up the downtown project in the first part of 2018, according to Don Clark, community development director for the city.

"We had some weather we fought against for the final portions, including low temperatures and unexpected rains," he said. "We decided in order to complete the downtown improvements as soon as possible not to delay fog sealing and striping any longer."

Clark said that city staff worked with Main Street Siloam Springs to find times businesses would be least impacted and contractors would be available. They concluded that Monday and Tuesday before noon would be the best time to complete the work.

The section of Broadway Street between Main Street and University Street will be closed for fog sealing from 7 a.m. to noon Monday, May 14, the press release states. Side streets -- including Alpine Street, Central Street and University Street -- will be closed for fog sealing from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 15. All cars will need to be moved from the streets while the work is taking place, the release states.

A contracted crew from Time Striping will be painting stop bars and lines for parking places throughout downtown streets on Sunday, May 20. Cars parked in areas designated for 'no overnight parking' will be towed at the owner's expense.

"We are extremely appreciative of downtown businesses and residents and the citizens of Siloam as a whole for their patience throughout this process," Clark said.

General News on 05/13/2018