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“The construction will be done in phases,” said Chesapeake City town manager Sandra Edwards. She also said that the project will be extended over several years and will cost $500,000-$800,000.

“We’re going to do it little by little unless we win the lottery,” said Edwards.

The objectives and the plan were recently outlined during a public meeting. The objectives are beautification, streetscape enhancements, drainage and accessibility improvements, and to use the Community Legacy funds. A great deal has to be considered. The town already has a large number of mature trees on the streets. The evaluations of the existing water main and storm systems have to be conducted. There will also need to be grading improvements, and Second Street  work has to be coordinated with the state because it is a state highway. The town engineering firm, KCI, provided drawings of sample benches, bike racks, curbing, sidewalks, and more. They also provided sample lighting fixtures and street signs.

As was stated, First Street will be the first phase of work. That has been ongoing. The second phase is Bohemia Avenue from Pell Gardens to the Second Street Intersection. The third phase is Bohemia Avenue from Second Street to the Third Street intersection.

Phase one includes the brick sidewalk and granite curb, elimination of parallel street parking, and a crosswalk and ADA compliant ramps at the intersection of First State and Bohemia. Phase two includes brick sidewalk and granite curb, re-striping of parallel and street parking, and a crosswalk and ramps at intersection of First and Second streets. There will also be more street trees, lighting, benches, garbage cans, and more. A potential portion of this project will be restoring the roadway with grading. Phase three includes sidewalk and granite curb, parking changes, crosswalk and ramps at intersection of Second and Third streets, There will also be more street trees, lighting, benches, garbage cans, and more.

Phase one will cost $75,000. Phase two will cost $210,000 and an additional nearly $50,000 if the regrade is added. Phase three will cost $384,000 and will increase to $495,000 if the regrading is included in the project.

by Lisa Tome, Contributing editor

Original article: http://www.heraldandchronicle.com/top-stories1/chesapeake-city-streetscape-project-in-the-works