The first block of the Cleveland Street Streetscape project will soon be complete. Crews are grading the road bed in that block in preparation for the first layer of road surfacing within the next week. Paver installation is nearly complete on both sides of the sidewalk, and the concrete structure for the large median planter has been poured. Lighting fixtures should be installed beginning next week and irrigation conduits are clearly visible in planters. The block is slated for completion, except for final asphalt and landscaping, the first week in March, and officials plan to mark the event with a ribbon-cutting March 16.
Cleveland Street remains completely closed from East Avenue to Ft. Harrison Avenue, although intersections at Osceola Avenue and Ft. Harrison Avenue are open to north and southbound traffic. The Garden Avenue and Cleveland Street intersection is completely closed as lateral storm lines are installed there, and sidewalk detours route pedestrians around the construction area. Storm drain work is also continuing east to East Avenue.
Most sidewalks in the construction zone are now open, and orange safety fences mark a mid-block pedestrian crossing between Ft. Harrison Avenue and Garden Avenue.
Patrons may take advantage of two hours of free parking in the Garden Avenue Garage, or additional parking along Osceola Avenue between the Main Library and Cleveland Street. For further updates on construction, check out the city's website at www.myclearwater.com/downtown, or call the Streetscape construction office at 462 6126.
The next Hard Hat meeting is 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, at Starbucks, 433 Cleveland St., corner of Ft. Harrison Avenue. Free coffee will be available, and construction expertds will be on hand to answer any questions.