Downtown Streetscape Updates

October 2, 2009
(first of the day)  Many of the businesses Downtown have done some sprucing up as their section of streetscape became mostly done – among them (and this list is certainly not all) are Blue’s Jewelry, Mr. Bowles building, Scrub Hub, Govan’s, the Oldham and Dunning building, the law offices in the back corner of the Square, and Swaney Swift.  Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of all the facelifts, but wanted to share two of the most recent ones.  Govan’s has painted its façade and Mr. Hutchins has put an original art display in the windows of Swaney Swift.  The attached photos of the original artwork do not do the paintings justice, so when you get a chance, please go look.

(Last regular downtown e-mail for the foreseeable future)All lanes of traffic around the Square will be open following the Main Street Festival on Saturday.  After Main Street Festival on Saturday, East and West Main will be open to two-way traffic; parking will be open on the “L” of the Square and one-lane, one-way traffic will be open on the “L” of the Square in the same direction it was before construction.  There are a few minor items left for the contractor to complete at various times during the coming weeks related to landscaping, signage and signalization, but the project is substantially complete.  We appreciate all your cooperation, your suggestions and your patience.  Enjoy Main Street Festival.

 

September 30, 2009
(see today's work) Roy T. Goodwin has completed the brick screen wall for the trash cans at the Courthouse.  Kerr Bros. is striping the parking spaces on the square.  A new flag pole has been installed at the Courthouse on the Main Street side.  S&W is working on the traffic signal and the remaining pedestrian lights, which should all be working tonight.  Civil continues work on various minor punch list items.  The “L” of Public Square will be closed through the weekend.  Main Street will remain one-way through the weekend and should re-open to two-way traffic on Monday, Oct. 5.

September 29, 2009
(see today's work) Work progressed on the brick screen wall at the Courthouse.  Additional bollards to guide traffic were placed in various areas.  Kerr Bros. was supposed to be here today to stripe parking in the Square, but we are now being told they will not begin that work until tomorrow.  The new flag pole at the Courthouse is supposed to be installed tomorrow.  The County hired a contractor for that work.  The sub-contractor installing signs and sign poles also did some additional work today.

September 28, 2009
(seet today's work)S&W, one of the sub-contractors on the project, continues work to upgrade the traffic signal at Water and Main.  Roy T. Goodwin’s brick crew is building a screen wall for the trash cans at the Courthouse.  Civil Constructors continues working through items on the punch list.  Kerr Bros., the sub-contractor doing the parking striping, is scheduled to return tomorrow to mark handicapped spaces and work on parking spaces inside the Square.

September 25, 2009
South Water Avenue is now open at Main Street. So cars travelling on N. Water and S. Water may now cross Main Street to the other side – or turn west on Main Street.  Main Street is still one way from east to west.  The electrical and traffic control subcontractor has been working on Main Street today, running wires and other lines related to street and signal lights.  The brick layers continued work in the square.  They may be working over the weekend.

GHS Homecoming Parade:  We just spoke to the GHS principal and he said the Parade is still on for 4pm today.

September 24, 2009
(see today's work) Reminder:  The Gallatin High School Homecoming Parade is tomorrow.  It begins at 4 p.m. at the high school and will come down Main Street on its way to the football field.  Main Street will be closed for the parade.  After the parade, Main Street will reopen, but will remain one-way traffic from east to west. 

Brick layers are scheduled to continue work tomorrow, primarily finishing projects in the square.  Some landscaping work continues.  Many of you have asked about the black metal bollards which are mostly on the square.  We have attached three pictures of the bollards – as someone said they look like the pawn piece in a chess set.  There are two kinds of bollards although they look identical.  The bollards on the sidewalk around the square are permanent bollards.  The bollards in the street and in the brick plaza area are all removable bollards.  All the bollards are being installed to assure they fit and work properly.  The removable bollards will be taken out after the Main Street Festival when all the streets are reopened on Monday, Oct. 5.  They will only be used in the future when special events require closing of all or part of the square.

September 22, 2009
(see today's work) Much of the parking stripes were done today.  There are still some center-line stripes, handicapped markings and all the striping on the Square to be done.  Brick crews continued their work.  The rest of the benches were anchored down and eight new trash cans were placed throughout the area.  The trash cans were also donated to the project by Greater Gallatin.

September 21, 2009
(see today's work) Despite the weather, more of the permanent road/parking stripes went down today.  The brick layers worked over the weekend and today on the tree wells in the Square.  Other miscellaneous work continued, as well.

September 18, 2009
(see today's work) A break in the weather allowed TDOT to begin permanent striping and markings on the street today.  The brick crew began laying pavers in the tree wells on the square.  Another part of the brick crew began repair work on areas where the new sidewalk meets the buildings.  Depending on weather, work may continue over the weekend.
Note:  The Gallatin High School Homecoming Parade is next Friday, Sept. 25.  It begins at 4 p.m. at the High School and will come through Downtown on Main Street.  Main Street will be closed that afternoon for the parade as it is every year.

September 16, 2009
The weather prevented much of the work scheduled for today.  However, the City today did place all the remaining benches – 10 more – on Main Street and N. Water.  All the benches (14 total) were donated to the City by Greater Gallatin.  We appreciate and thank the Greater Gallatin Board and Director Donna Belote for the donation.  Two of the benches had already been placed on N. Water in time for the April Squarefest.  Two of the benches have been placed at the new Farmers Market.

September 15, 2009
Landscapers continued their work today.  New trees arrived for the square and were being planted in the tree wells in the sidewalk.  They do not have leaves on them, but the landscape architect who has been monitoring all the plantings says they are healthy trees.  Many of the crepe myrtles that were planted more than a week ago had a bout of shock and appeared as though they would not survive, but some of them have new growth sprouting from top to bottom.  Any crepe myrtles that do not appear to revive themselves will be replaced.  After the trees are planted in the tree wells in the sidewalk, a grid is added to the top and bricks will be placed on the grid.  As the tree grows, sections of brick can be removed to accommodate the trunk growth.  Weather permitting, crews doing brick work and pavement striping will work tomorrow.

September 14, 2009
(see today's work) Landscaping work continued today with sod going down in various places.  TDOT paved Main Street and Civil paved N. Water.  Landscaping will continue tomorrow. 

September 11, 2009
(see today's work) Civil plans to pave the top coat of N. Water Monday and it will be closed from Franklin to Main.  TDOT plans to pave East and West Main Monday, but one lane should remain open.  Landscaping continued with hundreds of liriope plants going in and some of the plant material being changed out today.  Decorative bollards have been added to the alley between Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.

September 10, 2009
(see today's work) Civil’s crew paved sections of S. Water and Main Street around the new concrete intersection today.  Landscaping work continues.  Some of the plant material put in last week is being replaced because it does not meet specs.  TDOT plans to continue milling pavement tomorrow and plans to work on E. Main from Water down to Boyers.  On Monday, Civil plans to put the top coat of pavement on N. Water from Franklin to Main.  That means N. Water will be closed beginning Monday morning until the work is complete.

September 9, 2009
(see today's work) TDOT has a slew of trucks and machinery downtown today milling Main Street in preparation for paving next week.  TDOT has been very helpful through the Downtown Streetscape project and the City appreciates their assistance.  Traffic is still open one-way on Main Street through downtown.

To complete the road milling today on W. Main Street, TDOT must close W. Main between Water and Locust/GFD Memorial Blvd.  Cars traveling on East Main by the Courthouse will be detoured onto N. Water.  Cars on N. Water will be detoured at Franklin Street.  This will happen shortly – as soon as the traffic barricades and personnel can be put in place.

Last night, the City Council in committee meeting approved the revised version of the new sign ordinance for downtown.  The revisions came from the meeting Aug. 27 that Tennessee Main Street, Greater Gallatin and Planning had with downtown property owners and merchants. The revisions were based on your input at that meeting.  In addition, Council approved a Municipal Code change that would allow restaurants downtown to have café tables on the sidewalk for more than 20 days per year (which is the limit in the current Municipal Code).  While the Council did approve all these changes in committee, the actual ordinances must be approved officially at the Council Meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 15.  There are two ordinances related to the signs that must pass on second reading to become effective and allow for broader choices and easier process.  The ordinance on the café tables will be presented for first reading Sept. 15 and then must pass on second reading October 6, 2009.  You may view what the Council considered at last night’s meeting by clicking on the agenda below and scrolling or tabbing down to Agenda Item #3.  If you have any questions, please contact Tony Allers, Gallatin’s Director of Codes and Planning, at 451-5968.  Or, tony.allers@gallatin-tn.gov
Here’s the link to last night’s agenda:
http://www.gallatinonthemove.com/downloads/Council/9-4-09Committee.pdf

September 4, 2009
(see today's work) City offices will be closed Monday for Labor Day.  Bricklayers and landscapers may work over the weekend on the streetscape.  Roy T. Goodwin’s crew poured concrete in the S. Water/Main Street intersection yesterday.  The irrigation contractor continues his work.  Holes for the decorative bollards were drilled today.  Some of the decorative bollards are permanent and some are removable and will be used to block off the square for events.  Civil excavated part of S. Water and Main in preparation for asphalt.  Have a safe, enjoyable holiday weekend!

September 2, 2009
(see today's work) Trees and shrubs are being planted throughout the streetscape project.  The crosswalks at S. Water and Main were poured today.  Part of the center section will be poured tomorrow.  The county continues to install new “uplights” at the Courthouse.

September 1, 2009
(see today's work) Trees and shrubs arrived today and were being unloaded for planting.  Civil continued excavation of S. Water and Main.  Roy T. Goodwin’s crew began forming it for concrete.  The intersection of N. Water and Main is open.  The “L” of Public Square is closed.

August 31, 2009
(Display at City Hall) A nearly 100-year-old piece of history is on display at Gallatin City Hall for the month of September.  The display includes a piece of the interurban electric rail line uncovered last month during construction of the Downtown Streetscape.  The display also includes photos provided by Sumner County Museum Curator Allen Haynes.  The photos span more than 100 years of activities downtown on the square.  The display is in one of the showcases in the lobby of City Hall.  The rail lines, pieces of cross-tie and spikes will be donated to the Sumner County Museum.

(see today's work) Civil began excavating the intersection of S. Water and Main today and will continue tomorrow.  GPU is removing an old water valve in the area.  Roy T. Goodwin’s crew formed and poured bench pads today in various locations throughout the streetscape.  The landscaping sub-contractor, Kimberly Inc., is working the soil today adding treatments described in a previous e-mail.  Trees and shrubs are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  Public Works and the brick-layers completed the sidewalk from the breezeway to Franklin Street. 

Plans have changed on the opening of N. Water at Main Street.  The contractor had planned to open the intersection today after the parking was re-striped.  However, the landscape sub-contractor indicated he’s expecting a truck load of trees and shrubs some time tomorrow morning which would necessitate that N. Water/Main be closed again – so, the contractor does not plan to open N. Water and Main until sometime tomorrow afternoon.  Public Works did re-stripe the parking there today to return to angled parking in front of Larriviere’s and Upscale Boutique, and parallel parking by the Courthouse.  South Water and Main is now closed and the contractor is excavating there.

August 28, 2009
Some of you have raised questions about the topsoil in the landscape islands.  The contractor put dirt in certain landscape islands prior to the April Squarefest at the City’s request to fill in those islands temporarily for the festival.  The islands that already had dirt in them are being redone.  The gravel you see in that dirt is from under the sidewalk where it’s been shoveled out, along with the dirt, to put in the irrigation pipes.  That gravel will not stay in the dirt.  The dirt will be treated, roto-tilled, mulched and more.  We have more than one landscape architect monitoring the irrigation lines, dirt/topsoil, plantings and much more.  They are communicating with the contractor daily.  The landscape sub-contractor is scheduled to begin its work sometime next week.

Reminder:  The plan for next week is to open the intersection of N. Water and Main Street as early as Monday for vehicular traffic – and shut down the intersection of S. Water and Main Street.  Traffic on S. Water will detour at Smith Street.  However, local traffic will be allowed to park on S. Water between Smith Street and Main.  When the intersection of N. Water and Main is re-opened, the “L” of Public Square will close again to allow various elements of work to be completed there.

Public Works today completed most of the work on the sidewalk between Franklin Street and the breezeway.  The bricklayers plan to work on the sidewalk this weekend.  Public Works also completed the paving in the public right-of-way from Smith Street up to the alley between the Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.  Irrigation and landscaping work continues.

August 27, 2009
(see today's work) Public Works paved the alley between the Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture today.  The new lights in the alley should also be working now at night.  Public Works is nearly done with the sidewalk between Franklin Street and the breezeway.  Civil continues cleaning out landscape islands and putting in topsoil.  And the sub-contractor is still running irrigation lines.  The City is also running wiring in the irrigation sleeves to accommodate future uses for festivals and other events downtown.

***The plan for next week is to open the intersection of N. Water and Main Street early in the week for vehicular traffic – and shut down the intersection of S. Water and Main Street.  Traffic on S. Water will detour at Smith Street.  However, local traffic will be allowed to park on S. Water between Smith Street and Main.  Also, when the intersection of N. Water and Main is re-opened, the “L” of Public Square will close again to allow various elements of work to be completed there.

August 26, 2009
Civil completed patch paving today.  They are cleaning out landscape islands, putting in topsoil and continuing irrigation work.  Other work referenced earlier this week also continues.

August 25, 2009
Civil’s crews and subs did patch paving today and continued irrigation line work.  Public Works and the bricklaying crew hired by the property owners in the corner  of the Square continued forming, pouring and installing pavers on the sidewalk between Franklin and the breezeway.  The County’s maintenance crew began the framework to install “uplights” on the Courthouse.  Tomorrow will be more of the same.

August 24, 2009
(see today's work) Civil plans to pave near the intersection of N. Water and E. Main tomorrow.  The sub-contractor doing the irrigation work is running water lines thru the PVC sleeves installed under the concrete.  The building maintenance man for the County plans to install “uplights” around the Courthouse tomorrow.  Work progresses on the sidewalk connecting the breezeway to Franklin Street.

August 20, 2009
(see today's work) They poured another major section of concrete yesterday – the sidewalk by the Cordell Hull Building and Antiques on Main.  There will be no major concrete work for about three weeks when they are able to shut down S. Water and Main Street to excavate and form that half of that intersection.  Most of the work by the contractor for the next couple of weeks will be irrigation, electrical, sign and other work at various locations around the square.  Public Works continues to frame and pour the sidewalk from the breezeway to Franklin Street at the back corner of the Square.  They also continue work in the alley between the Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.  New lights are up in the alley and should be operational soon.  There is still paving to do there, as well.

August 18, 2009
(see today's work) The City continues improvements to the alley between the Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.  Work also continues in the breezeway and sidewalk at the back corner of the square and connecting to Franklin Street.  This work is a public/private partnership approved by the City Council.  The City is doing the concrete work and the property owners in the corner are contributing the brick and the brick layers’ labor.  Roy T. Goodwin poured more of the intersection at N. Water and Main today.  This half of the intersection at Main must cure for at least 17 days before it can open, traffic can drive on it, and Civil can move to S. Water and Main to excavate and prepare the other half for concrete.  Weather permitting, they plan to pour concrete in the sidewalk at Antiques on Main tomorrow.  Electrical, irrigation and sign work also continues.

August 17, 2009
(see today's work) The film company planning to shoot a music video downtown tomorrow has changed its plans.  It will NOT be using downtown Gallatin for the video.  The representative of the company said they changed the ending of the video and will now be shooting at a school – but they did not indicate what school and whether it is in Sumner County or elsewhere.  They appreciate everyone’s willingness to allow them to shoot in downtown and hope to have a reason to film here in the future.

Brick is being set in the breezeway at the back corner of Public Square and work continues on the sidewalk down to Franklin. Brick is also being laid in various crosswalk sections along Main street. Electrical and irrigation conduit work continues. Tomorrow, weather permitting, they plan to pour concrete at one more section of N. Water and Main and possibly in apart of the sidewalk at Antiques on Main. Reminder: the film company cancelled it's video shoot downtown tomorrow and downtown will NOT be closed to vehicular traffic tomorrow.

August 14, 2009
(see today's work) Public Works has poured concrete in the breezeway at the corner of Public Square.  Brick layers are scheduled to work on this section of the breezeway beginning Monday.  The contractor will be doing other concrete work next week on Main.  Many of the same items continue to proceed – electrical, irrigation, pavers, etc.

The City Council today gave approval to a request from Revolution Pictures to close off the square for a music video shoot Tuesday, Aug. 18, for Taylor Swift. As the plan stands today (and there could be minor changes before Tuesday) the “L” of the square and the section of N. Water between Franklin and Main would be closed to vehicular traffic late Monday night;
Main Street will remain open thru downtown – and will continue to be one-way on this day; the entire area would remain open to pedestrian traffic; while the crew is shooting, some of the pedestrians may find themselves in the music video; along with Ms Swift, there will be 30 to 40 extras coming in for the shoot; the shoot should end before dark on Tuesday and once the area is clear, it will be re-opened to vehicular traffic; the film company may – or may not – contact individual businesses about shooting at or through doors of certain buildings; the video shoot should not delay completion of the streetscape – it is still set to be done by Main Street Festival the weekend of October 3. The film company understands the importance of pedestrians, clients, citizens, etc., having access to the businesses, stores and Courthouse during this time.

August 13, 2009
     After taking out the old sidewalk at Antiques on Main, old rail lines for the inter-urban “mass transit” system that ran in the early 1900s, were revealed.  The City has removed sections of the rail to preserve them and donate them to the Sumner County Museum.  There is also an old cross-tie that was removed and given to the Museum.  Two of the sections will be displayed at City Hall next month in a showcase in the lobby along with pictures provided by Allen Haynes, Curator of the Museum, showing the evolution of Gallatin’s Historic Downtown over the years.
     According to Mr. Haynes and others who are excited about the discovery, the inter-urban ran from 1913 to 1932 or 1933.  It provided transportation from Gallatin to Nashville with stops at “Stop 30 Road” and “Number One” – which derived their names from being a rail stop.  There is a story in today’s The Gallatin Newspaper with a picture of an old rail car. 
     Please stop by City Hall next month to see the display of Mr. Haynes’ photos of downtown throughout the years – and see a section of the rail line that is being given to the Museum.

August 12, 2009
(see today's work) They poured the remainder of the corner at Gallatin Furniture today.  They worked on forming the sidewalk at Antiques on Main and another piece of the intersection at N. Water and Main.  They plan to pour the piece at N. Water/Main tomorrow.  Public Works began forming the breezeway in the corner of Public Square.  GPU is working on a water valve issue at Main and Water.  Work continues on improvements to the public alley between Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.

August 11, 2009
(see today's work) The corner sidewalk and curbs were poured today at Joey’s Carpets.  Some of the corner sidewalk and curbs were poured at Gallatin Furniture and more should be poured tomorrow.  The sign and electrical subcontractors continue to install new light and sign poles.  Public Works continues excavation on the breezeway at the back corner of the Square.  Also, work continues on the sidewalk outside Antiques on Main.  Today, with the help of some observant citizens, old rail tracks were discovered outside Antiques on Main.  The City has removed two sections of them to preserve.  

August 10, 2009
(see today's work) They worked on the corners at Gallatin Furniture and Joey’s Carpets today and plan to pour those tomorrow.  Public Works began excavation of the breezeway at the back corner of the square and that area is closed to thru traffic.  More of the decorative street lights on N. Water and Public Square should be active tonight.  Public Utilities is working on a water main shut off valve in the intersection of Water & Main.

August 7, 2009
(see today's work) The lights around the court house (court house side only) should be on this weekend.  Today, Civil laid asphalt at the end of N. Water at Main and on the E. Main side of the alley between the Stephens building and the day care.  Roy T. Goodwin continued work on the Public Square/E. Main intersection and on the corners at S. Water/Main.  Next week, work will continue on the Water/Main intersection and on the sidewalk at Antiques on Main.

August 6, 2009
(Sorry, no pictures today) They poured more concrete today at N. Water/Main and at Public Square/E. Main.  Tomorrow, they will continue forming, working on electrical items, and installing irrigation lines.  They will also bring in asphalt tomorrow for the alley exit between Anna Stephens’ building and the day care, and for N. Water at Main where they are currently working on the intersection.  The City continues improvements in the alley between Scrub Hub and Gallatin Furniture.  The USPS drop boxes were moved close to the corner of N. Water and Public Square outside Mr. Bowles’ building.  The UPS drop box was moved to the sidewalk between Mr. Bowles’ building and the McClellan, Powers, Ehmling & Rogers building.

August 5, 2009
(see today's work) They poured sections of crosswalks at N. Water/Main today.  They also poured curb and sections of crosswalk on the south side of the E. Main/Public Square intersection.  Tomorrow’s schedule includes more forming, electrical and excavation.  The parking outside Larriviere’s and Upscale Boutique on N. Water near Main is now open.

August 4, 2009
(see today's work) All the sidewalks on Public Square are now completely poured!  At the end of this week, Public Works plans to begin work on the breezeway and sidewalk from the corner of Public Square between the law offices there down to Franklin Street.  The sidewalk in front of Antiques on Main has been removed.  Forming continues both in the intersection of N. Water and Main Street and Public Square and E. Main Street.  They plan to pour concrete in the crosswalks at N. Water and Main tomorrow – and may possibly pour concrete in parts of the other half of the Public Square & E. Main intersection.

Because the City will be taking out the old tile and concrete in the breezeway at the corner of Public Square, the drop boxes for UPS, FedEx and USPS that are in the breezeway must be moved.  The respective companies have been contacted and the boxes should all be moved by the companies before the end of the week.  They should remain in the vicinity of their current location – at least that is what UPS, FedEx and USPS reps tell us.  If you notice something different, let us know.  If we find something to be different, we’ll let you know.  We know many of you use these drop boxes, so we wanted to make sure you were aware they would be moving.

August 3, 2009
(see today's work) Another stretch of concrete was poured in the sidewalk on Public Square from Greenberry’s toward Butch Moore’s office.  More will be poured in that sidewalk tomorrow.  Public Works plans to begin work at the end of the week on the breezeway and sidewalk between the corner of Public Square and Franklin Street.  Forming has begun at N. Water and Main Street for half of the intersection there and plans are to pour some of the concrete as early as Wednesday.  Parking on N. Water between Public Square and Main was re-striped today and may be open tomorrow.  Excavation work continued today in the other half of the intersection at Public Square and E. Main.

July 31, 2009
(see today's work) The contractor and subs plan to work tomorrow (Saturday) in various areas of the project.  Today, they continued excavation on the N. Water intersection at Main Street.  The brick layers began work at the bottom of the courthouse steps on Main Street.  Concrete was poured in a section of sidewalk on the east side of Public Square from the corner to Greenberry’s.  Work the next few days includes removing the old sidewalk in front of Antiques on Main and continuing work on the above mentioned elements of the project.

July 30, 2009
(see today's work) The intersection of N. Water at Main Street is closed as of today and traffic is being detoured through Public Square where it can turn west onto Main Street.  Civil has begun excavating the intersection.  The parking on N. Water between Public Square and Main Street will be restriped and will be open as the contractor allows given the contractor’s need to move heavy equipment in and out during excavation.  Roy T. Goodwin set tree wells in the sidewalk on the east side of Public Square.  Weather permitting; they plan to pour parts of that sidewalk early next week.

July 29, 2009
(see today’s work) Work continued on the sidewalk on the east side of Public Square – including some electrical and forming.  Roy T. Goodwin plans set tree wells and pour sections of that sidewalk by the end of the week.  This morning, they poured the section of sidewalk connecting the library to the rest of the new sidewalk on the south side of East Main.  They also poured the section of sidewalk at the bottom of the new courthouse steps.  Weather permitting, Civil plans to close off N. Water at Main Street at some point tomorrow.  At that time, traffic traveling from Franklin to Main will be detoured through Public Square.

July 28, 2009
(see today’s work) This morning, before the rain, they poured a section of sidewalk on W. Main between Larriviere’s and Wortman Works Media & Marketing; poured the Courthouse steps on the Main Street side; removed some additional sidewalk at the Library; continued work on the sidewalk on the east side of Public Square; and put down base layers of asphalt at Public Square and E. Main.  Tomorrow’s work depends on the weather.

July 27, 2009
(see today’s work) Work today focused on the steps at the Courthouse and a section of Main Street that must be paved with binder before Public Square can be opened to vehicular traffic.  This week’s projected work is dependent on weather and some of the schedule may change as the weather changes.  As of today, work planned for tomorrow is pouring of concrete steps on the Main Street side of the Courthouse; paving binder coat on a section of E. Main Street at Public Square; forming a small section of sidewalk between the back of Larriviere’s and Wortman Works Media & Marketing.  The contractor is still on schedule to close N. Water at Main Street, possibly on Thursday, and detour traffic onto Public Square.

July 24, 2009
(see today’s work) Most of today’s work focused on the sidewalk on the east side of Public Square where Civil continued placing infrastructure in preparation for Roy T. Goodwin to form and pour.  Roy T. Goodwin continued worked on the stairs on the Main Street side of the Courthouse.  Reminder:  at some point next week, Civil will move to the intersection of N. Water and Main Street to begin excavation for the intersection island there.  At that time, N. Water and Main will be closed.

July 23, 2009
(see today’s work)At some point next week, the intersection of N. Water and Main Street will be closed. Traffic heading toward Main Street from Franklin Street will be re-routed through Public Square, back to E. Main Street where it must then turn right onto E. Main Street. Main Street will remain a one-way street from Boyers to Locust. Public Square will also be a one-lane, one-way street from N. Water over to E. Main. There will be no parking on Public Square while it is being used as a detour. The intersection at N. Water and Main is being closed so that Civil can excavate half the intersection and Roy T. Goodwin can then begin forming and pouring some of the crosswalks and half of the intersection island there. They will make every effort to leave some of the parking on N. Water between Public Square and Main Street open, but that will be a day-to-day call by the contractor because of equipment they must move in and out to do the work. S. Water and Main Street will still be open. The historical marker at the Courthouse has been moved to its new home at the corner of E. Main and Public Square. Today, they poured three separate curb sections to create landscape islands; began putting new concrete on the Courthouse steps; continued excavating the sidewalk on the east side of Public Square; laid bricks in the sidewalk in front of Gallatin Furniture; and continued other work.

July 21, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured some of the sidewalk on the south side of W. Main Street today between Antiques on Main and Joey’s Carpet. They are forming curbs on the north side of W. Main and may pour them tomorrow. They also may begin forming and pouring concrete to repair the stairs on the Main Street side of the Courthouse. The electric sub-contractor continues to install the decorative light poles. More excavation is being done on E. Main by the Courthouse. Civil began working on the sidewalk along the east side of Public Square.

July 20, 2009
(see today’s work)The decorative street lights on N. Water have been activated and are on at night. The City has removed its portable light tower. Public Works is doing some drainage work on W. Main near J.G. Bradley Place. Roy T. Goodwin is forming the sidewalk in the south side of W. Main and, weather permitting, plans to pour concrete tomorrow. Civil plans to do work on the sidewalk along the east side of Public Square tomorrow.

July 17, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured the corner sidewalk section at Larriviere’s today and worked on forming the sidewalk on the south side of W. Main. They continue to put topsoil in the landscape islands, install the new pedestrian lights, and prep the courthouse steps for new concrete. Much of this same work will continue next week.

July 16, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured more concrete today on the south side of E. Main Street from Gallatin Furniture down toward the Library. They were forming the corner of N. Water and Main Street at Larriviere’s today and, weather permitting, plan to pour it tomorrow. Then they will move over to the south side of W. Main Street and begin forming the sidewalk by Joey’s Carpet.

July 15, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured more sections of sidewalk today on W. Main Street by Larriviere’s and J.G. Bradley Place. They also poured a section on E. Main Street and continued forming on the south side of the road. Weather permitting; they plan to pour those sections of sidewalk tomorrow. There will be some gaps and that is intentional. They are filling in more landscape islands and putting in more pavers.

July 14, 2009
(see today’s work)They continued forming various sections of sidewalk today all along Main Street. They plan to pour concrete in some of those sections tomorrow – sections along and near Larriviere’s. They put topsoil in some of the landscape areas today. They will install more irrigation sleeves tomorrow. The brick layers worked on the crosswalk sections at Public Square and Main Street.

July 13, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured half of the concrete intersection at Public Square and E. Main Street today. It must cure for nearly three weeks before it is driveable. Public Square will continue to be closed to vehicular traffic during the curing time. Most of the work the rest of this week will be forming and pouring of sidewalks.

July 10, 2009
(see today’s work)Two new curb sections were poured today – one at the Library and the other at the corner of N. Water and E. Main. Crosswalk sections at Public Square and E. Main were also poured today and they plan to pour part of the center of that intersection Monday morning. More new light poles went up today.

July 9, 2009
(see today’s work)Crews continued forming and pouring concrete today. They completed the curbs around the landscape islands at the corners of the alley between Anna Stephens’ building and the day care. They poured curbs on E. Main Street near N. Water and on E. Main and one side of Public Square. They also continued forming parts of the crosswalks and intersection island at Public Square and E. Main.

July 8, 2009
(see today’s work)They poured the corner of N. Water and E. Main Street at the Courthouse today. They are forming a curb near the alley by Anna Stephens’ building and plan to pour it today. They may begin forming the corner at Larriviere’s today as well as working in other areas along Main Street. They are also installing a storm water inlet near the library.

July 7, 2009
(see today’s work)Today, they poured the sidewalk along the alley between Anna Stephens’ building and the day care Yesterday, they poured sections of sidewalk on E. Main by the Courthouse. Today, they are forming the corner of E. Main and N. Water and plan to pour it tomorrow. When done with that, they plan to return to the intersection of Public Square and Main to form the crosswalks and half the intersection island – which they expect to pour by mid-week next week. Work was also done on the traffic signal at Main and Water and on electrical conduit and light standards.

July 2, 2009
(see today’s work) Reminder: City Hall and City offices are closed Friday, July 3. The contractor and subs will also be off July 3. Today, they poured a section of concrete between the two corners at Public Square and Main. They formed part of the sidewalk by the Courthouse on Main and plan to pour it Monday. Next week they plan to work at the corners of the alley between Anna Stephens’ building and the day care. They will continue work down the north side of Main Street toward N. Water. Also, next week, there will be more excavation of Main Street at Public Square to prepare it for the concrete intersection.

July 1, 2009
(see today’s work)Much of the same work continued today as it will this week – electrical conduit and light standards are being installed; grading and some excavation work is done daily; GPU is working on water service lines; and forming of sidewalks and plaza areas proceeds.  Today, concrete was poured at the west corner of Public Square and Main Street.  They plan another pour tomorrow in the same area.

June 30, 2009
(see today’s work)Work today included a concrete pour in the corner plaza at the east corner of Public Square and Main. The west corner of Public Square and Main is mostly formed and plans are to pour it tomorrow. A section of road between the two corners is slated to be poured Thursday. The electrical subcontractor worked on light pole bases today on the Main Street side of the Courthouse.

June 29, 2009
(see today’s work)Excavation work continues at the corner of Main and Water. Crews are forming the corner plaza and landscape Island at Public Square and Main near Dawn Bunetta’s building. They plan to pour it tomorrow then move to the corner at the Courthouse to form it. Make note that City offices will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day. At this point, the contractor and subs will also be off Friday for the holiday.

June 26, 2009
(see today’s work)GPU worked on a water main today. Public Works completed its activity on J.G. Bradley Place and it will re-open at 5 p.m. today. Civil Constructors continued excavation work in various areas, including what will become a landscape island/plaza area in front of the Gallatin Public Library. Roy T. Goodwin cut the decorative bands in the parking and drive aisles in Public Square on the east side of the Courthouse. They also poured the sidewalk along Anna Stephens’ and Dawn Bunetta’s buildings. S&W, the electrical subcontractor, formed and poured more lightpole bases today. The property owner of 113-115 Public Square has his contractor on site and today removed the façade of his building and will continue repair work at that location. The sidewalk on that side of Public Square can not be completed until the property owner is done with the work on his building.

June 25, 2009
(see today’s work)The concrete pour scheduled for today of the sidewalk by Anna Stephens’ and Dawn Bunetta’s buildings has been postponed until possibly Monday. Forming and grading work will continue. The bricklayers were cutting and placing the edge pieces in the plaza area of Public Square today. Other grading and excavation work also continued.

June 24, 2009
(see today’s work)The last drive aisle section of Public Square was poured today. The concrete crew has moved to the sidewalk on the north side of Main Street from Anna Stephens’ building down to the corner of Dawn Bunetta’s building. They plan to pour concrete there tomorrow. Excavation work continues. Mr. Bowles’ is re-doing his parking lot at Franklin and Main. GPU worked on water service lines today along Main Street. Public Works continues to fill in coal chutes. New parking sign posts have been installed in part of Public Square.

June 23, 2009
(see today’s work)The parking aisle on the east side of the Courthouse was poured today.  Tomorrow, they plan to pour the drive aisle.  Reminder: all the concrete must cure for a few weeks before vehicles may travel on it.  The next section of sidewalk to be formed will begin at the corner of Anna Stephen’s building and the alley between her and the church.  Work continued today on the pavers in the corner plaza of the square.

June 22, 2009
(see today’s work)The brick layers worked this weekend to fill in the plaza area of the square. The pavers are mostly in place today, with the exception of the edge pieces that must be cut. The concrete crew plans to pour the parking aisle on the east side of the courthouse tomorrow. Barricades and detour signs were being placed this afternoon to begin implementation of the new one-way traffic plan downtown.

June 19, 2009
Just a reminder to all property and business owners: If you have issues with your building or concerns about the project, the first step is to contact the Mayor’s Office at 615-451-5961.  The second step is to contact the City Attorney’s Office as to claims.  See attached form.  The City Attorney’s Office number is 615-230-0681.  Depending on the situation, you will be contacted further by either representatives of the City, the contractor, or both.  Your cooperation in this communication effort is key to the successful and timely completion of the project.  We appreciate your efforts in this regard.

June 19, 2009
(see today’s work)Beginning Monday afternoon, the traffic pattern through downtown will change. Main Street from Boyers to Locust will become one-way with cars allowed to travel from east to west on Main Street. There will be detours marked at Locust and Boyers indicating Main Street is one-way and directing east-bound traffic to Smith Steet or Franklin Street. So, if you’re coming from the Hospital to downtown, you will be allowed to travel through downtown. If you’re coming from the Krystal to downtown, you will be re-routed to Smith Street or Franklin Street.

June 19, 2009
(see today’s work)There is now a gravel walkway along the fronts of the buildings on the south side of Main Street from the Library to the corner of Gallatin Furniture. Brick layers set more pavers in the corner plaza area of the Square today and will continue next week. The parking aisle on the Greenberry’s side of Public Square was poured today and work will continue next week to complete the other parking aisle and the street. Crews also continued excavation and electrical work today.

June 18, 2009  
(see today’s work) Brick layers began placing the pavers in the corner plaza of Public Square.  Civil continued excavation on the south side of Main Street.  A gravel sidewalk should be open along the front of those buildings at some point tomorrow.  Crews began forming the parking aisle on the east side of Public Square and plan to pour it tomorrow.  All the concrete parking areas and street in the “L” of Public Square should be complete by the end of next week.  However, once the last section of concrete is poured, it all must cure for at least 28 days before vehicles may travel on it.  The sidewalk from the corner of Public Square out to Main Street will not be complete for at least 30 more days, possibly longer.

June 17, 2009
(see today’s work)The rest of the corner plaza area in the square was poured today. Weather permitting; the brick layers may be on site tomorrow to being laying the pavers in the plaza. Civil has begun removing the sidewalk on the south side of Main Street. GPU and the electrical subcontractor have also begun work in this section of sidewalk. Concrete forming, excavation, electrical and utility work will all continue tomorrow.

June 16, 2009
(see today’s work) Part of the corner of the square was poured today. The rest of the corner will be formed tomorrow and poured Thursday, weather permitting. This corner area has a concrete base and will be laid with brick pavers. The alley beside Anna Stephens building is open. Crews had planned to begin removing sidewalk on the south side of Main Street today, but the weather forecast delayed removal. The Electric Department removed the old, decorative street lights from the south side of Main Street today. Reminder: we are preserving the plaques that were on the light poles.

June 15, 2009
(see today’s work)Weather permitting; crews will pour concrete in the corner of the square tomorrow.  They were forming a section of that area today.  Crews also began saw-cutting the sidewalk on the south side of E. Main Street in preparation of excavation beginning tomorrow.  A crew from the subcontractor doing the signage was also on the square today.

June 12, 2009
(see today’s work) Beginning next week, crews will begin saw-cutting the sidewalk on the south side of Main Street to prepare it for excavation.  We will be adjusting the traffic patterns on Main Street soon.  Main Street is a state highway and we are working with TDOT on the plan.  Crews continued excavation on the north side of Main Street between Public Square and the alley by Anna Stephens building.  They poured concrete in the last section of street on Public Square between the Courthouse and Amber Leaf/Deliberately Chic.  They will continue forming the brick plaza area in the corner of the square.  They also sawed the scoring pattern into the dry concrete parking aisles and street.  W. Franklin Street between N. Water and J.G. Bradley Place will be closed through the weekend because of utility work.

June 12, 2009
The Police Department today is delivering the attached notice and map to all downtown offices & businesses regarding truck deliveries downtown. If you have questions, please contact Sgt. Bill Vahldiek at 452-1313, ext. 250.

June 11, 2009
(see today’s work) Despite the storm today, crews did pour concrete in a section of street on Public Square. The storm delayed other work on the project. W. Franklin Street is closed through the weekend to repair utility cuts. Tomorrow, crews will continue excavating, forming and pouring concrete, and placing electrical conduit.

June 10, 2009
(see today's work) Crews poured concrete in the parking aisle behind the Courthouse today and plan to pour the street section tomorrow.  Then they will move into the corner to form the brick paver plaza.  Crews also began installing brick pavers in the sidewalk around the Courthouse.  More electrical conduit was installed today and excavation work continued.

June 9, 2009
(see today's work) The new, decorative light poles began going up today on N. Water.  They are not yet operational, but as soon as the contractor gives us a date that they will be operational, we’ll send out a notice.  Concrete was poured in the parking aisle along the north side of Public Square.  Concrete forming and pouring will continue this week, as will some excavation, electrical conduit installation, water service line replacement, and other work. 

June 8, 2009
(see today's work) Crews are forming the parking areas on Public Square in the section of street from N. Water to the corner of Public Square today and plan to pour concrete tomorrow in these areas.  Excavation began on Main Street between N. Water and J.G. Bradley Place.  Larriviere’s can still be accessed through both front doors on N. Water and through the side door on Main Street.  One of the subcontractors installed permanent signs today on N. Water marking the pedestrian crossings, handicapped parking and the two-hour parking limit.

June 5, 2009
(see today's work) Beginning Monday morning, crews will begin excavating the sidewalk on W. Main Street from Larriviere’s down to J.G. Bradley Place.  We had not expected to be doing work this far down Main Street this soon, but circumstances in the Square have caused an adjustment in phasing to stay on time with the project.  Once the area is excavated, GPU will replace water service lines in that area and the electrical crew will follow to lay conduit.  GPU completed work on water service lines on E. Main Street outside Anna Stephens’ building.  The electrical crew will be in that area next to lay conduit.  The concrete crew next week will continue forming the parking areas and street on the N. Water end of Public Square.  Today, they poured sidewalk on the east side of the Courthouse; poured another section of sidewalk in front of Decades; and poured the curb & gutter on the Greenberry’s side of Public Square.  The electrical crew put in a new pedestrian crossing signal on Franklin and the pedestrian lights are now working on all four corners of Franklin/N. Water. 

June 4, 2009
(see today's work) Crews graded and spread gravel on Public Square in preparation for forming and pouring of concrete on the street from N. Water to the corner of Public Square.  Work continued on the forming of the sidewalk on the east side of the Courthouse and on the curb & gutter on the Greenberry’s side of Public Square.  Public Works put asphalt down on sections of Franklin Street where they had been working on the sidewalk.  GPU put in water service lines on Main Street.  Weather permitting, there will be another concrete pour tomorrow.

June 3, 2009
(see today's work) Crews poured concrete at Decades on the Square today, as well as in the sidewalk behind the Courthouse and in the curb along the east side of the Courthouse.  They are grading the road between the Courthouse and Mr. Bowles’ building and will begin forming it soon.  Reminder: the entire street in Public Square is either concrete or brick pavers.  Electric subcontractors did more work today on conduit and light pole bases and will continue that work tomorrow.  Crews also continued work on the roof drains on Main Street.  Public Works completed work on coal chutes on Main Street and poured the sidewalk on Franklin behind the Bowles/McClellan buildings.  Tomorrow, GPU will work on water line services on the north side of Main Street and possibly work on a sewer line in the area.  Crews also plan to form the curb & gutter on the east side of Public Square tomorrow.

June 1, 2009
(see today's work)Gallatin Public Works crews continued removing old sidewalk on Franklin Street behind Mr. Bowles’ building and plan to put in new sidewalk by the end of the week.  Public Works crews also did work on Public Square to close off old coal chutes.  S&W installed electrical line conduit on the east side of the Courthouse.  The City’s Building Maintenance crew worked in the same area putting in new pipe for the roof drains.  Civil began taking out the old stairs at the Courthouse on the Main Street side.  Roy T. Goodwin crews poured concrete in the new sidewalks at the McClellan building and at Deliberately Chic on Public Square.  By the end of Wednesday, they plan to have poured the new sidewalks at Decades and along the back of the Courthouse on Public Square.  They also plan to have formed and poured the curb and gutter on the east side of the Courthouse. 

The “Mayor’s Update” newsletter, which goes out in the Gallatin Public Utilities bill this month, includes a focus on the Downtown Streetscape. While the attached is in color, the newsletter inserted into the GPU bills is in black and white.

May 29, 2009
(see today’s work) Roy T. Goodwin crews poured concrete in sections of curb and gutter behind the Courthouse.  They also poured sections of sidewalk on the north side of Public Square.  They poured a section in front of Mr. Bowles’ building and in front of Amber Leaf.  They will continue to form and pour on Monday and plan to pour the section in front of the McClellan building and parts of Decades.  S&W crews worked on electrical conduit and light bases.  Civil continued excavating.  Public Works completed drainage work on E. Franklin Street and it is open for the weekend.  Public Works will complete work on sections of sidewalk on Franklin Street next week.

May 28, 2009
(see today’s pictures) Roy T. Goodwin continued forming sidewalks, tree wells and curb & gutter in Public Square.  Weather permitting tomorrow, they plan to pour sections of sidewalk in the north side of Public Square beginning at Mr. Bowles’ building and pour curb & gutter near the Courthouse.  As requested by the business and property owners downtown, the City installed a “Stop for Pedestrians” sign in the crosswalk on East Main Street near the Library.  Also, as requested by the business and property owners, the Police Department is citing cars that do not yield for pedestrians in crosswalks and citing jaywalkers.  The Police Department continues to monitor semi-truck travel through downtown, ticketing violators.  Public Works did additional painting of the handicapped spaces on both sides of N. Water.  GPU worked on water service lines in the east side of Public Square.  The improvements Public Works is making to drainage and sidewalks on Franklin Street behind Mr. Bowles’ building and Amber Leaf should be complete by the end of next week.

May 27, 2009
(see photos) Civil continues excavation work.  Tomorrow, as weather permits, they will excavate the sidewalk on Main Street from Public Square to the alley by Anna Stephens’ building.  They are only excavating the sidewalk on the north side of Main Street in this area.  They will also excavate the old sidewalk by the Courthouse on Main Street.  The parking on Main Street at these buildings will be closed off for construction.  People wanting to access the Courthouse may either cross N. Water at Public Square or walk down the sidewalk along the east side of N. Water.  GPU this week is working to replace a gas line.  The line runs across Main Street, so parts of Main Street will be closed at times.  Public Works is improving drainage on Franklin Street and has part of Franklin Street closed.  The temporary handicapped spaces on N. Water at the Courthouse have been marked.  N. Water at Main Street is temporarily only two lanes.  When the project is complete, N. Water at Main Street will be three lanes, with a turn lane allowing cars to turn left from N. Water onto Main Street.  Roy T. Goodwin continues to form the sidewalks on the north side of Public Square.

March 22, 2009
(see photos and news release) N. Water is open!  The section of N. Water from Franklin to Main Street opened this afternoon and within seconds, cars were travelling across it and parking along the west side of the street.  Reminder: the final top coat is not on the road, so it may appear a bit rough and unfinished.  The top coat will be put on at the end of the entire streetscape project.  Also, the handicapped spaces on the west side of N. Water will be painted next Tuesday.  The section of sidewalk at the handicapped ramp at the Courthouse was poured today and will be ready for use Monday.  The temporary handicapped spaces parallel to the Courthouse on N. Water are marked with signs and will also be painted Tuesday.

May 21, 2009
(see today's work)Civil Constructors began paving N. Water today between Franklin Street and Main Street and plans to complete it by early evening.  Weather permitting; the centerline and parking stripes will be marked with temporary paint tomorrow.  The street may open by the end of the day tomorrow.  Note: once today’s paving is complete, Civil will come back at the end of the entire project and lay a final top coat on the street and install permanent striping.  The reason the final top coat does not go on now is because of the equipment that will come in toward the end of the project to install all the landscaping and other items.  There will be three permanent handicapped spaces on the west side of N. Water (on each side of the island in front of Govan’s).  There will be two temporary handicapped spaces marked on the east side of N. Water by the Courthouse.  Those temporary spaces will remain there until work around the other sides of the Courthouse is complete.  These two spaces will be closest to the handicapped ramp going in the Courthouse.  The concrete folks still plan to take out part of the sidewalk at the Courthouse’s handicapped ramp mid-morning tomorrow, form the new sidewalk and pour it so that it is ready for use Monday morning (or Tuesday morning when the Courthouse re-opens).

May 20, 2009
(see today's work)Civil worked further on preparing the road bed on N. Water from Franklin to Main for asphalt.  Roy T. Goodwin poured and shaped more curb and gutter on the north side of Public Square.  The curb and gutter may help give you an idea of how wide the sidewalks will be around the square.  Roy T. Goodwin crews tomorrow will continue working on that section of sidewalk – forming, sectioning tree wells, and preparing for concrete.  If the good weather holds, they may possibly have that sidewalk poured and open in two weeks.  Friday morning, a section of sidewalk at the Courthouse by and near the handicapped ramp will be taken out, formed and poured so that it is ready for use next Monday morning when the Courthouse reopens. 

May 19, 2009
(see today's work)Thank goodness for sunshine! Civil is preparing the road bed between Public Square and Main Street for asphalt. They had to wait for sewer work and the concrete folks to get done in that area and the last piece of concrete there was poured Monday. The concrete folks have moved into Public Square where they are forming and pouring curb and gutter. The bulk of the work coming up for the next few weeks will be concrete work – both sidewalks and street – in Public Square.

May 13, 2009
GPU completed replacement of the sanitary sewer line.  Civil completed work on roof drains from the Courthouse into N. Water and was working on storm water structures.  Weather permitting, Civil will continue with storm water sewer lines on Public Square.  Roy T. Goodwin will form and pour a curb on N. Water that could not be done until the roof drain work was complete.  S&W, the electric subcontractor, will set more decorative light pole bases.  And, Civil’s surveyors will set stakes to allow the concrete folks to begin forming the sidewalk along Public Square beginning in front of Mr. Bowles’ building.  Again, this is all weather permitting.

May 12, 2009
(see today’s work)  The brick crew laid pavers in sections of the new sidewalk on N. Water by the Courthouse and that sidewalk should be open tomorrow.  GPU and a contractor installed a new sanitary sewer line from N. Water over to Public Square.  S&W, the subcontractor for electrical work, began putting light pole bases in parts of Public Square.  Civil continued excavation.  And, Public Works is nearly complete with work on Franklin Street. 

May 11, 2009
(Today’s work) Civil Constructors continued excavation work in Public Square and will do so again tomorrow.  The wet weather has not been helpful and has caused delays, as has an unexpected issue with an old sanitary sewer line.  Roy T. Goodwin’s crew poured concrete and scored patterns into the new sidewalk on N. Water by the Courthouse.  The brick crew did more work on all three crosswalks at Public Square and N. Water.  Tomorrow, the brick crew is scheduled to lay pavers at the bottom of the steps leading into the Courthouse on N. Water – and that sidewalk should be open sometime on Wednesday, weather permitting.  GPU has a contractor scheduled to put in a new sanitary sewer line beginning tomorrow, which should take two days.  Once the sanitary sewer line is in, the concrete crew can move to Public Square and begin forming the sidewalks on the north side (Amber Leaf side) of Public Square.

May 8, 2009
(see today’s pics) Today’s weather – thunderstorms and tornado warnings – obviously hampered some of the work downtown.  The brick crew did add pavers to the third and final crosswalk at N. Water and Public Square.  GPU worked on a sanitary sewer line that is being replaced.  Reminder: music events tonight at Amber Leaf and Decades; the Nashville Ballet at the Palace Theater.

May 7, 2009
(see today's work) Civil continued to lay pipe in Public Square.  Roy T. Goodwin continued forming of the sidewalk on N. Water by the Courthouse and plans to pour it tomorrow, weather permitting.  Public Works continued work on Franklin Street.  GPU continued work on old fire hydrant lines in the corner of the square.  Most of this same work will continue tomorrow.
Please note:  There is a portion of sidewalk at 115 Public Square that is closed to the public.  Anyone wishing to do business at 115 Public Square must enter that building through the back.

May 5, 2009
(see today's work) Civil laid new storm water sewer pipe in part of Public Square today and continued removing asphalt and concrete, as well as putting gravel at the front entrances to Amber Leaf, Deliberately Chic, Decades and the breezeway in the corner.  Roy T. Goodwin poured concrete in the third and last cross walk at Public Square/N. Water.  They began forming the sidewalk along the N. Water side of the Courthouse and plan to pour it by the end of the week.  The schedule then is to begin forming sidewalks on the north side of Public Square starting at Mr. Bowles’ building.  GPU this week will continue working on various water and sanitary sewer changes in the Square.  Public Works continues its improvements on Franklin Street.  And, a department of Public Works along with the trusty crew assigned to the City are assisting with improvements to drainage work on N. Water.

May 4, 2009
(see today's work)The brick crew reworked some of the pavers in the crosswalks at Franklin Street and N. Water.  The normal course of the work is that they will continue at times to brush a mixture of sand and mortar over and between the bricks which collects moisture and sets the bricks.  If you end up with a brick paver section in the sidewalk in front of your business or property, please do not clean the sand off, let it stay and do its job. J Most of Public Square from N. Water to the corner of the square was excavated today with the exception of some sidewalks.  Tomorrow, Civil will lay storm water sewer pipes in this section.  Roy T. Goodwin formed the third crosswalk at Public Square and N. Water and plans to pour concrete there tomorrow.  Then they will form the sidewalk along the Courthouse on N. Water.  Public Works continued improvements on Franklin Street.  They also began marking the two new handicapped parking spots at the Courthouse on E. Main Street. 

May 2, 2009
The brick crew is laying pavers today (Saturday) in two of the crosswalks at N. Water and Public Square.  Gallatin Public Utilities is also doing some work off and on over the weekend on a sewer line near Public Square and N. Water.

May 1, 2009
Beginning Monday, May 4, Public Square will be closed to vehicular traffic as construction moves further into the square.  The City is converting the parking spaces by the Courthouse on the E. Main Street side to handicapped parking – two spaces – and will put in signs on or by Monday morning.  If weather permits Monday, the City will also re-stripe the parking.  Regardless, the parking on that side of the Courthouse will be designated “handicapped only” on Monday.  Public Square will be open to pedestrian traffic.  The “L” of Public Square will be all concrete and brick pavers when done.  Work also includes improving the storm water sewer system and putting in new water service lines.  The walkway from Franklin Street into Public Square will still be open to pedestrian traffic.  Despite the rain, Roy T. Goodwin’s crew poured concrete in the other half of the intersection at N. Water and Public Square today.

April 30, 2009 (3:45 p.m.)
(see today’s work)  As you can see from the pictures, Franklin Street is open and active at N. Water.  N. Water from Franklin to Broadway was also striped today.  Contractors had planned to pour concrete today at the N. Water/Public Square intersection, but the morning’s inclement weather postponed the pour.  However, the forming is complete.  Contractors also laid electrical conduit and put in light pole bases today.  Civil laid a section of storm water sewer pipe into Public Square.  Crews plan to pour concrete tomorrow and then form a crosswalk and possibly begin forming the sidewalk on the N. Water side of the Courthouse.

April 30, 2009
!!!   As of 9:45 a.m. today, Franklin Street at N. Water reopened to vehicular traffic. !!!   So, N. Water from Broadway/Hwy 31 is open up to Franklin Street and becomes a T-intersection to turn left or right on Franklin.  All signs on N. Water were to be removed also so that folks know they can drive up to Franklin and turn there.  As soon as Franklin opened this morning, cars were on it.  The pedestrian crossing signs at this intersection are not complete, but will be soon.  It is a milestone day.    

April 29, 2009
(See today’s pictures) Roy T. Goodwin poured half of the concrete intersection at Public Square and N. Water today.  They are forming the other half and plan to pour it tomorrow.  Then they will form the third crosswalk and possibly pour it Friday, weather permitting.  The crew doing the brick pavers is scheduled to come in early next week to put pavers in all three crosswalks.  Civil continues excavation work into Public Square and plans to lay storm water sewer pipes tomorrow.
Reminder:  Franklin Street will open at some point tomorrow (Thursday) morning to vehicular traffic.

April 28, 2009
(See today’s pictures) Public Works painted the parking space lines on N. Water near Franklin Street today.  The center road stripe will be done once the subcontractor repairs the striping machine.  Civil began taking out the sidewalk along N. Water next to the Courthouse today.  Civil will move further into Public Square with excavation work as the week continues.  Roy T. Goodwin poured concrete in two crosswalks and a curb today.  They are now working on the center concrete island at N. Water and Public Square.  GPU continued work on water service lines on the east side of Public Square.  UPS moved its drop-box last week to the same area as the FedEx and USPS boxes. The Electric Department began removing street lights today around the Courthouse and the Square.  The old decorative street lights are being saved and we are making sure we preserve the plaques on them. 

Upcoming Events involving Downtown Merchants:
(From Govan’s Salon & Espresso Cafe)
Bledsoe Fort Colonial Fair – Friday thru Sunday May 1-3 rain or shine.  An 18th century colonial fair representing the time period of 1750-1790 at Sumner County’s own Bledsoe Fort Historic site.  See attached flier for more information.
(From Amber Leaf)
Music Night – Friday May 8 – featuring Paul Jack & Off the Hook Band.  Doors open at six, dinner served from 6 to 9.  $7.50 per person.  See attached flier for details.

April 27, 2009
(Today's Pictures)According to Greater Gallatin, Squarefest was a success – more vendors and visitors this year – thanks to everyone for their hard, hard work getting prepared for the event.  Friday night, the director of the Chamber of Commerce in Trenton, Tennessee was in Gallatin and very complimentary of the downtown – how active it was Friday night with a variety of events at the various venues – despite the construction zones.  Today, GPU began work to change out water service lines on the east side of Public Square.  Roy T. Goodwin formed two crosswalks at the N. Water/Public Square intersection today and they plan to pour concrete in them tomorrow.  GPU was changing out an old gas line on Franklin Street today. 

April 24, 2009
(Today’s aerial photo of N. Water from Main St. toward Franklin St.) Civil barricaded much of the construction area today in preparation for Squarefest. Roy T. Goodwin poured the corners of Public Square and N. Water. The City’s subcontractor did not stripe N. Water from Franklin to Broadway because the striping machine broke. We moved the “road closed – local traffic only” sign further up N. Water past Prince. Reminder: Franklin Street will be open next Thursday morning. Next week, the crews will begin taking out the sidewalk on the N. Water side of the Courthouse and they will move a bit further into Public Square at the N. Water end.

April 23, 2009 (3:45 p.m.)
(See pictures from today) Civil completed the paving work today on N. Water from Franklin Street to Broadway. The Fire Department tonight will be washing down the pavement to prepare it for striping of the center line and parking spots. We anticipate some of the striping work to be done tomorrow by a subcontractor of the City. Then, N. Water from near Franklin down to Broadway will be open with no further work anticipated in that area until we fill in the landscaping islands at the corners of Franklin at Gibson’s and the pool hall. The intersection of Franklin and N. Water should be open to vehicular traffic on Thursday morning, April 30. It will be open to pedestrian traffic for Squarefest, but the brick pavers need more time to set before allowing vehicles over them. Roy T. Goodwin plans to pour concrete tomorrow (weather permitting) in the two corners at N. Water and Public Square. And, the City has placed two of the new benches that Greater Gallatin obtained with a grant in the plaza area outside of Govan’s.

April 23, 2009 (11:35 a.m.)
The Gallatin Newspaper did another fabulous ad today for the Downtown.  If you remember, last week there was a full-page ad of “Men at Work” – and this week there is a full-page of “Women at Work”.

April 22, 2009
(See pictures from today’s work) Civil laid the first layer of asphalt on N. Water between Franklin Street and Broadway today. They are scheduled to continue asphalt work tomorrow. The brick crosswalks at Franklin St. and N. Water are complete. They are sandy and may appear to be unkempt, but that is intentional and will be cleaned by this weekend. They were laying the brick pavers in that small section at Upscale Boutique today and will complete it by Friday. Roy T.Goodwin began former the other corner of Public Square and N. Water today. Civil continued working fine rock over the road bed between Franklin and Main.  Gallatin Public Works poured a new section of sidewalk on Franklin Street behind Amber Leaf and will continue that work.

April 22, 2009
Larriviere’s is hosting a concert and silent auction for Faces of Hope this Friday at 8 p.m. Faces of Hope is a children’s therapy center. For more information, see attached flier.

April 21, 2009
The sidewalk crew poured concrete in front of Upscale Boutique and Larriviere’s today. There is a section of the sidewalk near Upscale Boutique where a short layer of concrete was poured and where brick pavers will be laid before the end of the week. There is also a section of sidewalk in front of Larriviere’s that is only 5-feet wide with the rest out toward the street not poured. That is intentional. The rest of that area will be filled with gravel and will be walkable by thisweekend. This particular stretch of concrete – about a 10-foot-long section – is temporary. When the corner around Larriviere’s is taken out for the new sidewalk at N. Water/Main, this 5-foot-wide section will have to be reworked to match the grades, etc., of the new corner. The brick crew spent its day cutting pieces of brick to fit in the edges of the crosswalks at Franklin Street. They will return tomorrow. Dirt is being put in the landscape islands as filler until the actual landscaping is done toward the end of the entire project. Public Works began pulling wires into the traffic lights at Franklin Street/N. Water in anticipation of opening that intersection sometime next week. Base layers of stone are still being laid in the street sections where asphalt will go on N. Water between Franklin and Main.

April 20, 2009
(See photos of today’s work.) Roy T. Goodwin’s crew began laying pavers in the crosswalks at Franklin & Water today.  They anticipate completing most of three sections of crosswalk today.  They also began forming the sidewalk bump-out and island areas at the corner of N. Water and Public Square.  Civil’s crews laid more stone and base between Franklin and Broadway today and worked on setting drain inlets to grade in various areas.  Tomorrow, work will continue on preparing the road for asphalt from Franklin to Broadway; on crosswalk pavers; and on forming other sections of sidewalk and curbs on N. Water between Franklin and Main.  Plans are to pour the section of sidewalk tomorrow at Upscale Boutique and Larriviere’s.  Gallatin Public Works is replacing a section of sidewalk on Franklin Street near Amber Leaf.  Gallatin Public Utilities continues to replace and repair old water lines, valves and other water-line-related discoveries and installations.

April 20, 2009
Greater Gallatin and the City have hung a banner across W. Main Street near the W. Main/Nashville Pike intersection saying “Shop the Square – We’re Open”. The City has also partnered with Greater Gallatin on other promotional items – some in conjunction with Squarefest this Saturday and others for the duration of the project.

April 17, 2009
Roy T. Goodwin poured the four crosswalks at Franklin and N. Water today.  They plan to lay brick in the crosswalks Monday.  Because of a change in some slopes at the N. Water/Public Square intersection, they must wait for some additional survey work to be done Monday, in order to pour the sidewalk at Upscale Boutique and Larriviere’s.  We realize the estimated date for this pour keeps getting pushed back, but there are technical reasons.  It will be complete before Squarefest.  Civil’s work on grading has slowed as they must wait for the concrete and brick intersection at Public Square and N. Water to be formed and poured to proceed with the next phases of paving N. Water between Franklin and Main.  We are still on target to have N. Water from Franklin down to Broadway paved next week and the Franklin/N. Water intersection open to pedestrian traffic for Squarefest on Saturday, April 25.

April 16, 2009
Roy T. Goodwin crews continued forming the crosswalks at the Franklin Street/N. Water intersection today.  They plan to saw cut a pattern into the center island tomorrow and also pour part of the crosswalks.  Civil Constructors continued preparing N. Water from Franklin to Broadway for paving next week.

April 16, 2009
See attached ad that ran in The Gallatin Newspaper today – page 3.
Keep your eye out for next week’s ad!

April 15, 2009 (4:45 p.m.)
Roy T. Goodwin’s crew poured the center road section at Franklin and Water today.  They also began forming the crosswalk sections around the center – and will continue forming tomorrow.  A scoring pattern will be saw-cut in the concrete Friday.  Civil Constructors continued grading work to prepare the road from Franklin to Broadway for asphalt.  There was a minor water line break late this morning near the Greater Gallatin office.  Water was off for about an hour in that area. 

April 15, 2009
Last night, at the request of Greater Gallatin and the downtown merchants, the City Council approved allowing businesses in the construction zone to temporarily put flag/banner poles on their buildings with “Open” flags hanging from them.  These flag/banner poles must be mounted to the façade of the building, much like a flag pole might be attached to the front of a house.  However, before a business installs the pole and banner, the location, height, and size must be approved by Engineering and Codes.  If you’d like to put up an “Open” banner, please let me know - preferably by e-mail - and we will process the request expeditiously. 

April 14, 2009 (4:20 p.m.)
Roy T. Goodwin plans to pour a concrete area of the intersection of Franklin & Water tomorrow afternoon.  This will be the area at grade with the asphalt road.  After that center piece is poured, they will form the areas for the brick paver crosswalks at that intersection.  The crosswalks are a concrete base with brick pavers laid on top of them.  Roy T. Goodwin also poured most of the curb sections today that form a perimeter around the landscape islands.  Civil continues removing old road bed on N. Water and replacing it with early layers of base for the new road.  There is a delay on pouring the sidewalk section in front of Upscale Boutique and Larriviere’s.  There are some issues with electrical lines in that area that should be completed this week. 

April 14, 2009 (1:45 p.m.)
The U.S. Postal Service today moved its two drop boxes on the square.  The boxes used to sit in front of Mr. Bowles’ building near the corner of Public Square and N. Water.  The USPS moved them into the breezeway in the corner of Public Square – they are next to the FedEx drop box near Tim Rector’s office.

April 14, 2009
Rogers Group paved J.G.  Bradley Place this morning.  It is myunderstanding you can now drive on it.

April 13, 2009
Weather permitting, J.G. Bradley Place should be paved tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14).  Rogers Group is doing the paving.  This is being handled by the City and is separate from the work Civil Constructors is doing.

April 13, 2009
Roy T. Goodwin’s crew poured the island/plaza area in front of Govan’s Friday.  Today, they are forming curbs that will surround landscape areas near Franklin Street, and at Govan’s.  They are also forming the sidewalk section at Upscale Boutique and Larriviere’s.  They plan to pour as early as tomorrow, but depending on weather, it may be Wednesday.  Civil Constructors is working on the Franklin/Water intersection – grading it in preparation for Roy T. Goodwin forming for the concrete middle and brick paver crosswalks.

April 9, 2009
While City offices will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday, work on the downtown streetscape will continue - weather permitting.  Roy T. Goodwin poured the fourth corner at Franklin/Water today and is forming the plaza/landscaping area near Govan’s today.  They plan to pour that area tomorrow.  Once poured, it may look unfinished – but that is because some of the area is for landscaping and will have curb put around it later – and then filled in toward the end of the project with irrigation lines, dirt, mulch and plants.  They plan to form the sidewalks near Larriviere’s tomorrow and pour that sidewalk Monday.  GPU is moving and replacing water valves and water line sections today and into the night.  Civil continues putting in new storm water sewer sections – and grading and laying base for the street on N. Water between Franklin and Main.  Public Works poured sections of concrete in areas along J.G. Bradley Place today and plans to pave sometime next week (they had planned to pave today, but delayed paving at the request of some of the property owners because of Easter events).

April 8, 2009
Roy T. Goodwin’s crew is pouring concrete today.  The have poured the section between Govan’s and Swaney Swift.  They were pouring the section at Blue’s Jewelry at 11 a.m. and working moving down to one of the corners at Water and Franklin.  They still plan to pour three of the corners at Water and Franklin today.  The sections poured and scored today should be walkable late tomorrow.  The crew continues to form the fourth corner at Water and Franklin and when done with that will move up to the area in front of Govan’s to form the island/bulb-out there.  Govan’s, Larriviere’s and Greater Gallatin have posted copies of the streetscape plans and the public can view them in any of those locations.  Gallatin Public Utilities is relocating a gas and meter line in J.G. Bradley Place today.  Once they are done, Public Works must pour a section of concrete behind Mr. Johnson’s building.  After that, the street can be paved.

April 6, 2009
The “L” of Public Square is now a two-way street functioning like a cul-de-sac.  Gallatin Public Works continues to place the new signage for the change in traffic pattern.  Civil Constructors continues to dig and grade N. Water near Main Street.  A sub-contractor is forming a custom-made water inlet at Larriviere’s today for the storm water sewer drain.  Roy T. Goodwin’s crew continues forming the corners of Water/Franklin and will form other sections of sidewalk on Water between Franklin and Main.  Weather permitting; they plan to pour concrete this week.  Gallatin Public Works milled J.G. Bradley Place yesterday and plans to pave it at the end of this week. 

March 31, 2009
There is a storm water sewer line that must be installed from the sidewalk at the corner of the Courthouse across N. Water to the edge of the sidewalk near Larriviere’s.  The contractor has begun digging that line this afternoon.  This will affect traffic wanting to turn off of Main onto N. Water.  However, the contractor will relieve the inconvenience as quickly as he can.

March 30, 2009
Traffic from Main Street onto N. Water was limited this afternoon as the contractor moved closer to Main Street with the storm water sewer trench and pipes.  At the close of work today, the contractor plans to fill in a section of the trench at N. Water and Public Square and open traffic back up all around the Courthouse.  However, the vehicular traffic route will change and the parking spaces along the Courthouse on N. Water will not be available.  Work also continues at the intersection of N. Water and Franklin.  Depending on weather, the concrete sub-contractor will be back on site Wednesday to continue to set grade and formwork for the corners at Franklin.  GPU plans to replace sections of sanitary sewer line and water line in areas where the trench was dug today.  GPU and Public Works also continue improvements to J.G. Bradley Place.

March 26, 2009
Because of weather, most of the work at the site yesterday and today dealt with technical issues – folks measuring slopes, setting stakes, adjusting plans, etc.  GPU installed one more water line shut-off valve today near the intersection of Public Square and N. Water.  When the weather clears, work on the storm water sewer will continue and the concrete folks will begin setting forms at the corners of Water and Franklin.

March 24, 2009
In addition to work proceeding on N. Water, the Gallatin Public Works Department today is making improvements on J.G. Bradley Place.  The City is pouring concrete pads for dumpster locations to allow for the removal of the individual trash containers.  Public Works will be doing other work to improve access along the street both during the downtown streetscape construction and for future festivals and events.

March 23, 2009 (4:45 pm)
The work situation shared with you earlier today should continue tomorrow.  Also, tomorrow, there will be an added element.  Because it is possible (and probable) that we will uncover more water lines that are so old they are unmarked, we will be putting in three additional water shut-off valves downtown.  This way, we will be better able to more quickly repair a water line break if one were to occur.  These valves must be put into live water lines.  The company that does this work is supposed to be downtown tomorrow (Tuesday) to put in a valve near the intersection of N. Water and Main; another valve near the intersection of Public Square and Main; and a third near the intersection of N. Water and Public Square.  It is my understanding that traffic should still be able to navigate around Public Square.  If this changes, we will let you know as soon as we know.      

March 23, 2009
Civil Constructors has moved into the area at the intersection of N. Water and Public Square with storm water sewer work.  Traffic can still turn off Main Street and navigate around Public Square.  Grading, conduit and other work also continues in the intersection of N. Water and Franklin Street.  To do the required grading in the intersection of N. Water and Franklin, the contractor must hammer out layers of concrete, some of them sitting on top of very old water lines.  It is possible that in hammering and removing concrete, there may be damage to water lines.  This may cause water shut-off in the area.  We will do our best to let you know if/when that happens. However, if you encounter any issues related to water, please let us know. 

March 18, 2009
Civil Constructors today removed most of the asphalt in the N. Water Ave/Franklin Street intersection to prepare it for crosswalk pavers and concrete.  Some additional sewer line work still needs to be completed in the intersection.  Electrical work must also be completed before the concrete subcontractor can come in to form and pour concrete.  The concrete subcontractor is now expected to be able to begin their work early next week.

March 16, 2009
Work on the storm water sewer line resumed today in the intersection of Franklin and Water.  The intersection will be closed the rest of this week and into next week.  As Civil Constructors moves past the intersection and on up N. Water toward Main Street with the storm water sewer line, Roy T. Goodwin will move in and begin its work to create a new intersection at Franklin with brick crosswalks and scored concrete.

Special thanks to the crew with GPU who worked past midnight Friday in the cold and rain to repair the water main break at Franklin.  Also, special thanks to Civil Constructors for their assistance and use of equipment, as well, in a very unexpected and unusual circumstance.

March 13, 2009
The Franklin Street/N. Water intersection is closed. As the contractor was digging the trench for the storm water sewer line near the intersection, they hit a 6” water main T-branch that no one knew was there. It is an old, lead pipe that was most likely connected to a fire hydrant at some point. When the fire hydrant was removed, the T-line was capped off and, while no water services rely on it, it is still a live water line. There are many more details I could give you, but because of the age and manufacturing of this line, it requires special equipment for a shut-off valve. There are but a handful of companies in the state who have this equipment. So, those of you who noticed it today may be wondering why it is taking so long to cut off the water coming out of that line. GPU did locate one of the companies with the necessary equipment and they are on their way. Again, this is an ancient line that was unknown. As soon as the water is shut off and GPU does what it needs to in that location, Civil Constructors will continue next week digging out the trench for the storm water sewer line, moving further up N. Water toward Main Street.

March 12, 2009
Because of the weather, work has ceased for the day.  The contractor chose not to proceed into the Franklin Street intersection so that it could remain open until tomorrow.  Also, the contractor placed the project sign, which includes a color rendering, at the corner of Main and Water. 

March 11, 2009
The contractor is not encountering as much rock as earlier in the week and the storm water sewer work is progressing more rapidly up N. Water to Franklin Street.  Consequently, the contractor believes that at some point Thursday morning, his crews will be working in the intersection of Franklin Street and it will be closed to traffic beginning late morning Thursday.

March 5, 2009
Work on the storm water sewer line has progressed up N. Water near Gibson Furniture.  The contractor expects to reach the Franklin Street intersection by Friday afternoon or Monday afternoon.  Once Civil, the contractor, moves into the Franklin intersection, the intersection will be closed to all traffic for at least one week.  After the contractor lays the storm water sewer line in the intersection, the subcontractor will come along behind to form and pour the concrete in that intersection as well as lay the brick pavers.  While the concrete and paver work is being done, Civil will continue up N. Water from Franklin toward Main Street with the new storm water sewer line.

March 2, 2009
Work on the storm water sewer line moved further up N. Water past Prince Street today.  Prince Street will be closed at N. Water for the rest of the week.  People may still access Prince Street from either Boyers or Lane Avenues.  While the contractor works on the storm water sewer line, GPU is working ahead of the contractor on N. Water to replace old, clay sanitary sewer lines with new pipes.

February 25, 2009
Work on the storm water sewer line continued today moving from Town Creek up N. Water toward Franklin.  The work affects traffic patterns on N. Water and Prince Street.  One lane of N. Water is closed between Eastland and Franklin – it is the lane on the Gibson Furniture side of the street.  Work on the storm water sewer line will continue into next week.  Additional sections of sidewalk were poured yesterday between Franklin and Main Street.    

February 23, 2009
This week, construction will focus mostly on putting in the new storm water sewer line from Town Creek up N. Water to downtown.  The contractor spent today working near the intersection of N. Water and E. Eastland.  Concrete poured last week has set and the plastic covers were removed today.  The sections where concrete was not poured will be impacted by either the storm water sewer line or plaza areas.  Those sections will be poured after the storm water work is complete.  The storm water work may take two or more weeks.

February 19, 2009
Work on the storm water sewer line from the creek up to Franklin will take longer than originally anticipated – possibly two to three weeks.  Consequently, the contractor does not expect to begin removing sidewalks on Public Square for three to four weeks.  The contractor still plans to remove the sidewalk along the Courthouse on N. Water before moving onto Public Square.  However, as always, plans could change as each day’s construction continues and the contractor possibly encounters unanticipated issues.  The sub-contractor doing the sidewalks began pouring concrete today.  There are some sections, in front of Govan’s for example, that will not be poured until a later date either because they connect to a plaza area, handicapped parking space, or future storm water work.  (attached are photos of today’s work East side N Water sidewalks, West side N Water sidewalks, and close up hand scoring)

February 18, 2009
This morning’s weather prevented a concrete pour today, but the sub-contractor expects a pour to be made tomorrow.  There are two sections that will not be poured until the storm water line work is complete.  These two sections are the stretch of sidewalk along the parking lot behind Mr. Bowles’ building and the stretch of sidewalk in front of Blue’s Jewelry and RHA.  All other areas should be poured.  The sub-contractor informed us today that once the pour is made, the concrete must set for a day before anyone can walk on it.  The businesses on N. Water from Towne Square Florist to Upscale Boutique should be prepared to access their businesses off of Bradley’s Alley from the time the concrete is poured in front of these businesses through the next day.  As discussed in the property/business owner meetings leading up to construction, businesses may want to put signs in their front windows directing customers to enter off of Bradley’s Alley, as well as putting signs on the Bradley’s Alley doors.  The City has been making improvements to Bradley’s Alley, among them changing out the lights.  Gallatin Electric has put new bulbs on Bradley’s Alley to brighten the road at night. 

February 17, 2009
It may be Friday before the contractor begins digging out the trench on N. Water between E. Eastland and Franklin for the new storm water sewer lines.  The crew on this part of the project was working in the creek under the bridge near Hwy 31 today.  They are also waiting on a piece of equipment that had to be manufactured to unique specifications for the storm water lines.  Depending on weather, the sub-contractor doing the sidewalks still plans to pour concrete tomorrow.  Electrical and utility work also continued today in preparation for the pour.

February 16, 2009
The contractor has begun saw-cutting the street on N. Water from E. Eastland up to Franklin as part of the new storm water drainage work.  They plan to start digging a trench in the street tomorrow, again beginning at E. Eastland and moving up to Franklin.  E. Eastland may be closed intermittently, but should be completely open at night.  One lane of N. Water will be closed from E. Eastland up to Franklin possibly beginning tomorrow.  When one lane of N. Water is closed, the access off N. Water onto Prince will also be closed.  The sub-contractor working on the sidewalks still plans to pour concrete beginning on Wednesday from Franklin up to Public Square. 

February 13, 2009
The sub-contractor for the sidewalks began setting the forms today and will continue that work at least through next Tuesday.  They anticipate pouring concrete next Wednesday starting on Mr. Bowles’ side of N. Water and then moving across the street from Franklin possibly all the way up to Govan’s by the end of the week.  Civil Constructors plans to begin saw-cutting sections of N. Water between Franklin and E. Eastland on Monday.  Reminder:  one lane of N. Water will be closed to vehicular traffic from Franklin down to E. Eastland.

February 12, 2009
The concrete sub-contractor is scheduled to begin forming the sidewalks in Phase I tomorrow or Monday.  They were on-site today confirming specs, etc.  Once they have the forms set, they will begin pouring concrete.  They anticipate pouring concrete at some point next week.  The sidewalks will be hand-scored and will take three or so days to set.  They plan to start on Mr. Bowles’ side of Phase I and then move across to the other side – the Towne Square Florist side. 
GPU continues to put in the new water lines from Govan’s up to Larriviere’s. 
Civil Constructors continues to take down awnings. 
The electrical subcontractor continues to run conduit and set bases for light poles in Phases I & II.
Next week, Civil’s crew will shift its work to the storm water sewer lines on N. Water from Franklin down to Town Creek.  One lane of N. Water from Franklin to E. Eastland will be closed.  Traffic on N. Water from E. Eastland up to Franklin will be one-way only – vehicles turning off of Hwy 31 onto N. Water will be able to travel up N. Water to Franklin and then turn either way on Franklin. There will be no access onto Prince Street from N. Water while this work is being done, but Prince Street itself will still be open and accessible from Boyers and Lane.  The sidewalks on both sides of N. Water will also still be open for pedestrian/customer access.
In two weeks, Civil anticipates moving into Phase III, the Public Square area, with sidewalk removal and other work.  This is also when they anticipate removing the sidewalk along the N. Water side of the Courthouse – which is the last section of sidewalk in Phase II.

February 10, 2009
Civil Constructors completed removal of the sidewalks up to Larriviere’s today.  Gallatin Public Utilities completed its work in Phase I today and will move up N. Water to begin installing new water lines from Govan’s up to Larriviere’s.  The electrical sub-contractor today continued laying conduit and light pole foundations in Phase I.  Depending on weather, the electrical work will continue in Phase I and possibly Phase II tomorrow.  Civil Constructors plans to begin removing awnings on Public Square tomorrow.  Also, depending on weather, Civil expects the concrete sub-contractor to begin pouring new sidewalks at the end of this week.

February 9, 2009
The contractor began removing the sidewalk from Govan’s up to Larriviere’s today and plans to complete the work tomorrow.  All the businesses in this section should have a temporary front entrance before the contractor stops work today.  The contractor has also begun running electrical conduit in Phase I and placing bases for the new decorative light poles.  GPU has installed new water connections in Phase I and continues to finalize some other maintenance work in Phase I.  Tomorrow, the contractor expects to begin saw-cutting areas of N. Water from Franklin down toward Town Creek for work to be done on the storm water system. 

February 6, 2009
The contractor has begun sawing the sidewalk from Govan’s to Larriviere’s for removal.  The awnings in that stretch are also removed as of today.  GPU plans to complete all the new water line connections in the Phase I area today – this is the area from Franklin to Public Square that is closed to vehicular traffic.  Yesterday, the City’s Public Works Department put a portable light at the Courthouse on the N. Water/Public Square corner to light N. Water from Public Square up to Main Street.  The City’s Leisure Services Department is placing a portable light in the corner of Public Square tonight to light the “L” of Public Square.   

February 5, 2009
The project contractor today plans to begin removing the awnings in front of Upscale Boutique, The Gallatin Newspaper and Community Cash.  Also this week, the sidewalk from Govan’s up to Larriviere’s will be removed.  The sidewalk in front of Larriviere’s will be done in Phase V.  As we shared yesterday, the parking along this stretch will be closed during the day with plans to re-open it at night and on weekends.  The street will remain open.  Gallatin Public Utilities continues to replace water connections where the sidewalk has been removed.  And, next week the sub-contractor doing the concrete work plans to begin pouring new sidewalks starting at Franklin and Water.  We are adding temporary lighting to the area while the decorative light poles are down.

February 4, 2009
Good News – work is progressing faster than anticipated.  As soon as tomorrow (Thursday Feb 5), Civil Constructors may be moving the work zone further up N. Water.  They plan to take down the awning at Govan’s tomorrow and begin removing the sidewalk at Govan’s and Treasure Island Books.  They will close off parking on N. Water at those locations during the day and, barring unforeseen issues, they will open parking back up at the end of the construction day and leave it open at night and on weekends.  Depending on weather and other factors, this could change

February 2, 2009
The contractor has begun removing sidewalks in Phase I.  Once the sidewalks are removed, gravel will be put down and temporary access to the front of the buildings will be restored.  In the course of removing the sidewalks, the contractor is taking every precaution, however one water line was unintentionally damaged and water lost to one building.  It is being repaired.  Tomorrow, Gallatin Public Utilities intends to begin replacing water connections to the fronts of the buildings.  Water will be off for part of the day when the connections are replaced.  Each property owner was mailed a Claims Process.  If you believe that any of the work has damaged your building, please refer to the Claims Process.  It is also posted on our website, www.gallatinonthemove.com, on the “Downtown” page.  As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 451-5961.

January 29, 2009
North Water Avenue between Franklin Street and Public Square will be closed to vehicular traffic for the next four to six weeks.  Civil Constructors has begun removing parts of the sidewalk and asphalt in this section of street.  The area will still be accessible to pedestrian traffic.

January 27, 2009
The City held a groundbreaking ceremony today, the first day of construction on the Downtown Streetscape.  Mayor Jo Ann Graves, Greater Gallatin Director Donna Belote, state legislators, council members, county officials, downtown property owners, merchants, and other citizens and community leaders braved the cold and rain to officially kick-off construction.  Govan’s Coffee House hosted the gathering, which moved outdoors to the inside corner of the square where Mayor Graves and Donna Belote made the first dents in the asphalt that will be replaced with concrete and brick.

January 21, 2009
On Thursday, January 22, Civil Constructors will continue to have a crew working at or near the intersection of N. Water and Franklin Street surveying water and sewer lines.  This work may require traffic detours.  Civil expects to complete the work by mid-day Thursday, January 22

January 20, 2009
On Wednesday, January 21, Civil Constructors will have a crew working at or near the intersection of N. Water and Franklin Street.  The crew will be working on water & sewer lines.  This work may require traffic detours.  The work is expected to take at least one day.

January 15, 2009
Representatives of VCE, a subcontractor on the Downtown Streetscape project, begin contacting property owners and merchants about VCE’s role in the project.  VCE will perform pre-construction surveys of businesses in the construction area.  The surveys consist of documenting the current condition of the interior and exterior of the buildings.  The letter handed out by VCE mentions the possibility of blasting, but this is a form letter and there will not be any blasting on this project.  If you have questions of VCE, please contact them at 1-800-747-3844.  VCE’s survey is in addition to the survey done earlier by Kimley-Horn.

January 14, 2009
Kimley-Horn, Civil Constructors and City hold meeting for property owners/merchants to introduce Civil, explain initial idea for phasing of the project, and answer questions.  City will follow up with property owners/merchants on issues raised that were not answered in the meeting.

January 14, 2009
Mandatory pre-construction meeting held with TDOT, Kimley-Horn (project engineers), Civil Constructions (the contractor), subcontractors and appropriate city department heads.

January 6, 2009
Council approves on first reading an ordinance to appropriate up to $165,000 to cover certain additions to the project including concrete instead of asphalt within four intersections, concrete instead of asphalt on the Public Square Street, and to re-do the stairs on the south side of the County Courthouse.

December 30, 2008
A Special Called Council Committee Meeting is held for the sole purpose of hearing the bid from Civil Constructors and to discuss specific cost elements of the project.  Council votes its intent to appropriate up to $165,000 to cover certain additions to the project including concrete instead of asphalt within four intersections, concrete instead of asphalt on the Public Square Street, and to re-do the stairs on the south side of the County Courthouse.

December 22, 2008
The City receives notification from TDOT that TDOT concurs with the lowest, responsive bidder being Civil Constructors.  TDOT authorizes the City to enter into a contract with Civil Constructors.  In its review of the bid, TDOT confirmed that Civil meets the mandate to provide 13% of the construction work to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.  TDOT also concurs that Civil Constructors’ bid is within acceptable costs estimates.

December 18, 2008
Bids opened for construction of the project.  Five companies presented bids. The lowest bidder is Civil Constructors.  Their bid came within 1% of the estimated cost of the project.  Following bid opening, the City must submit certain required documents and information to TDOT for their review of the bids.  TDOT must concur on the lowest, responsive bidder.