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Downtown business urges reopening of 2nd Street NE; city says opening or construction will begin within a week
Summary
County Fair Foods manager told council the prolonged closure of 2nd Street NE is harming downtown businesses and creating safety hazards; city staff said civil plans were received and that the street will open within a week or active construction will be under way.
Tyler Thuringer, who identified himself as representing County Fair Foods, urged the council at the March 16 meeting to reopen 2nd Street Northeast, which has remained closed since demolition of the old city hall in January. Thuringer said deliveries are constrained, customers are confused by the detour patterns and pedestrians are crossing in unsafe places. "I'm asking the council to consider reopening 2nd Street Northeast within a week from today...Until then, it only continues to create unnecessary safety risks and hardships for the business and people who rely on this area every day," he told the council.
Council members asked for and received updates in other-business remarks. City Manager Steger told the council the city received civil plans and that the developer indicated readiness to start work. "I am confident that things are finally moving forward...It will be open within a week, or there will be active construction activity at the site," Steger said, noting a trench and water-main logistics complicate a temporary opening.
Mayor and staff encouraged residents and business owners to provide contact information for follow-up; staff said they would coordinate with the developer and take steps to open the road or create safe temporary access if progress did not occur.
Next steps: staff will follow up with the developer and property owners; the city expects either active construction or a temporary reopening within roughly a week.
