ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Last spring, the City of Escanaba started a major project on Ludington Street, with crews replacing sewer lines and reconstructing the streetscape. The second portion of that project is set to begin soon, and it will require businesses in the area to make adjustments.
This year’s planned construction is a bit more involved than last year’s.
“The City has now added additional blocks to this,” explained Escanaba DDA Chair and Nyman Jewelers owner Sue Parker. “Where the scope was originally up to 9th Street, it is now going up to 16th Street. We’ll have two different contractors finishing this project up, so they’ll be going simultaneously and it’ll get done quicker, we hope.”
According to Parker, the work will result in a new, dedicated bike lane. Ludington Street will also switch from angled parking to parallel parking.
“We are actually not losing any parking spaces,” Parker said. “Because the handicap spots the way they are now take up so much extra space, we’re actually going to have the same amount—if not one more parking spot—per block.”
While construction is in progress, parking will be limited.
“The DDA does have several free parking lots throughout our downtown, so we will be doing signage to point you in the direction of those,” said Parker.
As crews make their way down Ludington Street, business owners will have to be creative to keep operations running smoothly.
“In some instances, you might not even have a sidewalk in front of your business,” Parker said. “We have to make some arrangements on how we can still serve our customers via our back door, which usually is not available, but we’re going to find a way to make it work.”
It could be a frustrating time for many of downtown businesses. However, Parker believes it will all be worth it in the end.
“This is infrastructure that just has to be done,” she said. “I think they say usually this type of stuff lasts 70 to 80 years. What they’re digging up is probably over 100 years, so it is necessary. It’ll be challenging, but we have to think outside the box and just try to come up with different ways to help people.”
As Downtown Escanaba prepares for a hectic summer, Parker says the community will get through it together.
“I just ask that you kindly remember us, that we’re still here,” she said. “Things are going to be tight for a lot of the newer businesses that are just starting out. They can struggle during these times. Call your orders in. If you’ve got to park on a side street, we’ll come deliver it to your car. That’s no problem. I’m sure a lot of the other businesses downtown are willing to accommodate, too.”
To keep the business community and patrons informed about the construction timeline, the City will be hosting monthly meetings. On April 15 at City Hall, City and DDA officials will discuss the impact of the work planned from 9th Street to 16th Street with business owners and contractors.
