Streetscaping Work Is Delayed Again

HAINES CITY | The downtown streetscaping project has been mired in paperwork and delayed for another month.

The $2.36 million project, which involves North Sixth Street, parts of Jones Avenue and the Railroad Park area, was supposed to begin April 1.

It was delayed when the state Department of Community Affairs requested more historical information about the buildings along the streetscape area.

That put the start date at May 1.

But that was missed as well when federal Department of Housing and Urban Development officials asked the DCA to seek more environmental information.

"What happened was HUD, which is overseeing DCA, is asking for more information from DCA and in turn DCA is asking for more information from us,'' said Assistant City Manager Ken Sauer.

"It all kind of trickles down," he said. "We are getting the information they are asking for and will be sending it off.''

Sauer said the city had submitted the historical information to DCA, clearing that obstacle, when the new request came up.

"They are asking for more environmental information, like if the project will affect any endangered animals or if it will affect the city's wastewater or storm water plans, which it won't. We just have to get the information gathered and back to them,'' Sauer said. Sauer said he would like to think the project would get under way next month.

"Optimistically I would like to say June 1, but realistically it will probably be more like the middle of June,'' Sauer said.

Officials for Wharton-Smith Inc., the Orlando construction company in charge of the project, said the project is expected to take 10 months and the upper part of North Sixth Street and Park Place, which border Railroad Park, will be closed for five months.

Jones Avenue from North Fifth to North Sixth streets will be closed in a later phase of the project for four months. North Seventh Street will not be closed during project.

During the project, Park Place will be turned into a one-way street and additional parking spaces will be added to the park area.

City officials said there should be an increase in three parking spaces, which total 100 or slightly more in the downtown area.

Sauer said the city is trying to lessen the impact on business owners and their customers as much as possible.

He said engineers have said the changes will help smooth out the traffic flow in the downtown area.

Access across the railroad tracks at Jones Avenue will also be closed during part of the construction time. Traffic will be rerouted down Railroad Avenue, which passes in front of the Haines City Citrus Grower's business.

Motorists will still have access to Old Polk City Road from the downtown area.

Railroad Park will also be getting a face lift during the project. The old gazebo will be torn down and a new, larger one will be built more toward the center of the park. There will also be decorative lighting and benches.

City officials have met with downtown business owners about the project and Sauer said another meeting will be held before work begins.

[ Amber Smith can be reached at amber.smith@theledger.com or 863-422-6800. ]