City staff updated the Sandusky Boards & Commissions on construction progress for the Columbus Avenue streetscape project, saying crews have poured concrete at the table intersection at West Water Street and Columbus Avenue and prepared a compacted road base for eventual asphalt.

The update matters because the work affects traffic, parking and access for businesses along Columbus Avenue and aims to improve pedestrian accessibility and drainage. Staff said the project will restore vehicular access at West Water Street and Columbus Avenue by the coming weekend and that crews are coordinating directly with business owners about upcoming concrete pours.

Staff reported that crews completed tear-out on the east side of Columbus Avenue from Water to Market Street and have prepared the roadway by proof-rolling the base in preparation for asphalt. "They completed the tear out of the East Side of Columbus Avenue from Water To Market Street, but for, about a 6 foot sidewalk line still there, and brick paver installation is happening along the west side," staff said. Work continues on conduit installation, brick paver installation and light pole foundations, and crews removed street lighting on the east side for a day with posted no-parking signs.

Staff cautioned that the final asphalt surface must wait until asphalt plants open and until weather conditions allow proper curing. "They have to wait until certain weather markers are hit before they can open," staff said. The contractor expects concrete placement in the 100 block potentially in the week of April 14 or the week of April 21, depending on coordination with business owners and confirmation from asphalt suppliers.

Crews are installing planter bases, light pole and traffic-signal foundations near Washington Park and continuing brick-paver installation on the west side. Staff described the intersection "table" as being saw-cut with patterns to define crosswalks and driving surfaces; the crosswalks will be concrete with saw-cut patterning rather than pavers, a change made for budget reasons. "We originally had designed the crosswalks to have pavers in them, but we had to cut that for budget reasons," staff said. Staff added that the table intersections are intended to be as level as possible with the crossing surface to improve pedestrian crossing and provide a traffic-calming function.

Staff emphasized public safety near active work zones and asked residents to use the prepared crosswalks and avoid trenches and equipment inside the work area. They also said the detour route will be reset for the week of April 7 as crews open access from West Water Street and begin work at the East Water Street intersection.

Project photos shown at the meeting included drone images of planter bases and the poured table intersection; staff said regular photo updates are being sent because multiple crews are working simultaneously across the project area.

Less-critical background mentioned at the meeting included occasional railroad ties found under the roadway during tear-out — one junction tie was retained for possible reuse or future consideration — and ongoing coordination about timing so asphalt surfacing can be placed when plants open and temperatures permit proper curing.