City staff updated the Sandusky Boards & Commissions on ongoing work for the Columbus Avenue streetscape project, describing water-line installations, storm-utility work, and temporary traffic restrictions.

Ms. Dukey (city staff) said crews have installed new water lines along the west side of Columbus Avenue and are beginning cross-street connections to serve east-side properties; connections to individual properties will wait until meter pit materials arrive so the city can coordinate switching services with each property owner. She said crews were installing new storm utilities around the Columbus Avenue–Washington Street intersection and that short-term north–south travel restrictions were in place at that junction.

Dukey said the project team is working daily and providing stakeholder email updates and a printed map for commissioners who requested it. She said the contractor's workday was scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and that crews intend to restore full traffic at the end of each workday. Regarding schedule, Dukey said the project remains on track and that staff hopes to finish early in the summer season, aiming for completion by Memorial Day weekend "as it moves forward," but she did not give a specific completion date.

Commissioners asked whether the work would require full roadway replacement; Dukey replied the contractor is digging trench crossings for the utility connections and then restoring the roadway so lanes remain drivable. When asked when the crews would move to the east side of Columbus Avenue, Dukey said she expected to have a firmer answer at the next meeting and that she believed the east-side work was likely in the February–March timeframe but did not confirm a date.

Why it matters: the streetscape project affects vehicle access near downtown, requires coordination with individual businesses for water-service switches, and uses temporary closures that may alter local traffic patterns for short periods.

Next steps: staff encouraged stakeholders to sign up for the project email list for daily updates and said they will provide a map of current lane restrictions to commissioners.