Drivers on the east side might gnash their teeth at the sight of more construction cones, and pedestrians may have to maneuver carefully around sidewalk construction, but there is a lot of progress being made on the Washington Corridor Streetscape project in Irvington. Last week, the intersections at Audubon and Ritter were closed to through traffic and to all traffic from the north to work on improvements in the intersections. The sidewalk and curbs on the north side of East Washington have been completed, and the decorative (and functional) lamp poles installed.
Residents are encouraged to take it easy and find detours around the work zone. The detours are Pleasant Run Parkway to Arlington and Emerson. Layman Ave. is still open. Drivers are asked to avoid cutting through residential areas —or, if they must, to slow down and watch out for pedestrians.
While the drought has been bad news for lawns, trees, gardens, and other green and living things, the lack of rain has made for ideal construction conditions (barring the soaring temperatures).
The Washington Street Streetscape is a $2.9 million plan for the revitalization of the historic Irvington central commercial district along East Washington St. Construction will take place in three phases; the first phase covers five blocks between Irvington and Bolton, and will include a landscaped median, improved walkways, decorative lighting and more. The second phase will extend the project west from Irvington Ave. to Emerson.
Businesses on the north side of East Washington St. have reported that it has been more difficult for customers to get to their shops and find convenient parking.
Holly Miller, co-owner of Black Acre Brewing, said that the construction hasn’t significantly hurt business. “We’ve had a pretty good crowd. People have had to find a new way of getting to the parking, but they’ve managed.” Black Acre also added a community-spirited incentive to visit. They are donating $1 for every pint of Street Light Blond beer purchased to the maintenance fund for the streetscape.
Irvington Development Organization (IDO)is planning to invest in 30 additional street lights for the project. However, the new lamps do not come without a price tag. Fortunately, some of the financial burden will be alleviated through a relationship built between IDO and Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL).
“The city and IPL have an agreement that states whenever a neighborhood or business wants extra lights, this requestor is responsible for the electricity bill,” said Margaret Lawrence Banning, executive director of IDO. “Each light costs around $400 a year in electrical expenses. To manage the additional maintenance fees, IDO will be launching a campaign designed to involve any interested local businesses and individuals.”
Construction on the south side of Washington Street will begin just as soon as the bulk of the work is finished on the north side.
