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Keene to open downtown ombudsman office and begin construction July 6; businesses given project binders
Summary
Public works distributed binders to downtown businesses explaining detours and contacts, the city opened a temporary ombudsman field office at the transportation center to assist stakeholders, saving roughly $75,000, and staff said contractors plan to break ground on the downtown infrastructure project on July 6.
Keene public works staff have distributed project binders to downtown businesses and property owners that outline contacts, detour routes and scheduling for the Central Square infrastructure project, city officials said. The binders are intended as a quick reference so businesses can coordinate hours and deliveries while construction proceeds.
City staff also set up a temporary ombudsman field office in the transportation center for downtown stakeholders. Elizabeth Ferrind said using the city-owned transportation center for the field office saves about $75,000 compared with renting an external site. George Downing will serve as the downtown project ombudsman and field questions from businesses and residents during the project.
Public works is holding a series of "coffee and hard hats" meetings to share weekly and monthly schedule updates with stakeholders, and staff emphasized that the downtown will remain open to pedestrians during construction. Officials told listeners that the project is more extensive than a simple pipe replacement and that much of the work includes building-face-to-building-face utility connections.
Staff announced a planned construction start date of Monday, July 6. Officials encouraged downtown patrons to use nearby long-term parking such as the Gilbo Avenue and commercial lots and said the city is coordinating event footprints so summer events can proceed while Central Square work occurs.
