South Second Street's new look taking shape

• Wider sidewalks%2C bump-outs%2C a narrower roadway and concrete parking will be on South Second Street.
• The first segment of the two-year downtown construction project should be completed by Aug. 3.

NEWARK – The long-awaited paving of South Second Street has begun, revealing the beginnings of the new downtown streetscape design.

Wider sidewalks, curb extensions called bump-outs, a narrower roadway and concrete parking areas have emerged on the street torn up since March for installation of water and sewer lines.

The first segment of the two-year downtown construction project, from Walnut Street to South Park Place, should be completed by Aug. 3. The original completion date was June 1.

"It's been a struggle, especially with the weather," said John Scott, superintendent with George J. Igel & Co. Inc. "And underground issues. We're learning a lot.

"Seeing the Erie Canal was big. And the old brick sewer was amazing. Just remarkable, really. When you're digging, every day is different. We're looking forward to more stuff."

Joe Hickman, the city's project manager, said the new traffic design will be more pedestrian-friendly and capable of safely moving traffic. Onlookers, he said, ask about the project.

"The people who have stopped have been pleasantly surprised, and a there's lot of curiosity on how it'll actually work," Hickman said. "They're generally favorable and anxious to see it open up.

"All the businesses have been very good to work with — been outstanding, really."

Kevin Pugh, owner of Pugh's Designer Jewelers, 44 S. Second St., said it's been tough on business, but the result will be a considerable improvement.

"I think it's great," Pugh said. "Obviously, we're anxious for the completion of the section. It will be a lot safer for pedestrians crossing the street once it's done. It's well-planned. They've done a great job."

The bump-outs, which extend the curb line at a crosswalk, and wider sidewalks, are designed to slow traffic and increase driver visibility of pedestrians. And the distance to cross the street is much shorter.

The sidewalks average about 20 feet in width, the bump-outs and parking areas about 20 feet and the roadway about 30 feet.

Pugh's store was closed for a week when the concrete sidewalk was installed all the way to the front door.

Business should be much improved after Aug. 3, Pugh said, even though it's not that difficult to reach the store during construction.

"There's just been a natural hesitance on people's part to come downtown," Pugh said. "They get it in their mind there's a problem there."

Martha Cotton, president of Licking County Arts, said the changes aren't just for Newark residents.

"I'm very excited about it," Cotton said. "I saw some preliminary sketches, and I thought this is absolutely the right direction for Newark. This is not just a Newark thing, but for the county."

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958