On-site meeting to preview Block Avenue layout set for Wednesday

Want a sneak peek at what the rest of Block Avenue might look like before any more concrete is poured?

Fayetteville’s street committee will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. this evening (Oct. 13) to review the progress of the Block Avenue enhancement project, and to review the proposed locations of landscape islands, parking spaces, loading zones, etc.

The meeting will begin on site, at the corner of Block Avenue and Meadow Street. Afterwards, the committee will reconvene in room 326 of City Hall.

Members of the committee in September expressed safety concerns over the narrow width of the driving lane in the first completed section of the street and asked city staff to bring forth some design change options.

After reviewing some possible changes to the street plan, committee members asked that the rest of the street configurations be outlined in chalk before any permanent work is done.

The improvements are intended to provide a safer, more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing link between Dickson Street and the downtown square, while also improving the water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure.

Sidewalk construction and asphalt overlay, which began last week, is now complete, and the proposed layout of landscape islands and parking spaces has been marked on the pavement.

Upon approval of the layout by the Street Committee, construction of the islands will proceed, along with placement of the stamped concrete intersection at Block Avenue and Meadow Street. Pavement striping, landscape island construction, tree planting, and street light installation will complete the project.

City officials said all planned work should be complete by mid November, weather permitting.