Downtown Houlton’s Market Square should have new sidewalks just days before the Aroostook County town’s biggest annual event, Midnight Madness, kicks off on July 3.
The old, crumbled sidewalks in the historic square are gone, some street lights are back up and some new curbing is already reset as part of a facelift that’s running a bit ahead of schedule.
The $1.3 million project is long overdue. It’s been more than 30 years since the town had new walkways, and many have fallen into disrepair, often creating challenges for people — particularly those who use wheelchairs — to navigate. In the works for nearly a decade, the work started April 20 and should finish in early August.
“This will be a benefit to the entire downtown and the businesses,” said Interim Town Manager Nancy Ketch. “Making the area more walkable will make it easier for people to patronize businesses. And, having the new sidewalks along with some new benches will create an enticing district for locals and visitors.”
Engineers, state planners and town officials started measuring curbs, slopes and steps about 10 years ago. Funded by Maine’s Department of Transportation, the $1.27 million project includes the reconstruction of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings on Market Square, Main Street, Water Street and Broadway, according to the department.
Designed to meet state Americans with Disabilities Act standards, the work includes bituminous pavement, new granite curb, resetting of existing granite curb, stamping and coloring sidewalk segments, some lighting resetting and relocating, new lighting, catch basin and storm drain installation, concrete work around trees and a concrete retaining wall, state transportation officials said.
The project was slated for completion in two phases. Planners scheduled Market Square in phase one to make sure it was done before the popular July 4 activities and downtown community market.
The north and west sides of Market Square should be set by the end of this week for paving on June 9, with the rest of the square to follow, Ketch said.
Crews have so far removed the old sidewalk material from Market Square and the west sides of Water Street and Broadway and installed new gravel in those locations. They’ve reset some curbing in Market Square and graded sidewalk areas where curbing is in place. Some bollards and streetlights have been reset, with spaces prepared for trees and benches.
Workers plan to complete Main Street similarly to Market Square. They’ll also finish the west sides of Broadway and Water streets, and add incidental items such as catch basins and pedestrian access on the opposite side of the street.
The full project is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 12, Ketch said.
Project contractor Josh McLaughlin, owner of J. McLaughlin Construction, wanted to assure downtown business owners that there would be little disruption during construction. He started a weekly raffle to draw people to those businesses.
“If people patronize a downtown business during the project, they are eligible to sign up for drawings,” Ketch said. “Josh has purchased $100 gift certificates at all the downtown businesses. I believe he is drawing three each week and drawing from different store’s buckets each week.”
So far, 15 certificates have been drawn from businesses including Modern Beauty, Serendipitous Dragonfly, The County Co-Op, Bittersweet Thyme, Cole’s Shoe Store, Market Pizza, Sadie’s Bakery, Fish N’ Friends, Book & Brew Café, Brookside Bakery, Temple Theater, The Bus, Market Square Antiques and County Kids Clothing.
“I have heard only positive comments from people in relation to the pace, professionalism and courtesy of the crews,” Ketch said. “I have not heard any complaints. Most people are excited to see the finished product.”
The Temple Theater has seen little disturbance, according to manager Jason Howe.
“There have been some minor inconveniences, but J. McLaughlin Construction and the other contractors involved have been incredibly observant to our schedule and they’ve been extremely flexible when they know we have people coming in at a certain time,” he said. “We couldn’t be happier that a local contractor is heading up the project and we know that we wouldn’t get this kind of treatment from all contractors.”
Ketch is happy to see the project coming to fruition.
“We thank everyone for their patience as this project has come to this point and while the construction is going on,” she said. “We encourage folks to continue to patronize the downtown businesses during this time.”
The town has received congressionally directed spending for the Walkable Houlton Project that will replace other aging sidewalks in town, although the schedule has not been finalized, Ketch said.
