The first phase of the Streetscape infrastructure, which included installation of water and utility lines on the south side of Cleveland Street, is now complete. Gibbs and Register crews are now concentrating on similar work on the north side of the road.
The next phase includes the installation of a 12-inch water main that will continue beneath the railroad tracks at the intersection of Cleveland Street and East Avenue. Cleveland Street from Myrtle to East avenues is now closed in the west bound direction as crews bore beneath the tracks for the new utility line. From East to Osceola avenues, motorists will note that both travel lanes along Cleveland Street have been diverted to the south side. Work is also continuing on the large storm drain from Osceola Avenue to the seawall at the bluff.
Those seeking the latest information on the Streetscape project are invited to attend Hard Hat meetings the last Thursday of each month. The Cleveland Street Café, 615 Cleveland St., will be the site for the next meeting, Oct. 26, 8 a.m. Free coffee will be offered and breakfast items will be available for sale. City officials will be on hand to discuss façade signs and sign codes for downtown businesses, and street-level renderings of the project will be on display for merchants to see what their storefronts will look like when renovations on the sidewalk and street are complete. Hard Hat meeting details are posted along with other downtown construction information on the city's website at www.myclearwater.com/downtown.
Downtown patrons are reminded that all businesses remain open during Streetscape construction, and the Garden Avenue Garage is offering two hours of free parking. One-hour parking spaces are also available on Osceola Avenue from the Clearwater Main Library to the corner of Cleveland Street.