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Officials outline $2.1 million downtown streetscape project; roundabout remains conceptual
Summary
City staff presented an updated downtown streetscape plan funded by community development and Appalachian Regional Commission funds, estimating a $2.1 million project and saying a conceptual roundabout from 2022 public meetings remains a distant phase not currently funded.
City Administrator/Utilities Director Kevin Bronson updated the council on the downtown streetscape project and its funding and timeline. Bronson said the stretch currently under construction is fully designed, while additional conceptual elements—including a roundabout that appeared on 2022 public plans—remain part of a long-term vision and were unlikely to be built within the next decade.
"That's a $2,100,000 project," Bronson said, describing funding that included community-development and Appalachian Regional Commission grants and noting the work requires coordination with railroad authorities. He advised the contractor's schedule will be updated every two weeks and that weather could affect the completion date.
Bronson said staff will post the schedule on the city website and provide copies of the plan to interested business owners. The report also confirmed that one design option discussed in 2022 was conceptual and that the current engineered plan does not include the roundabout as an immediate phase.
Why it matters: The streetscape project is the largest downtown public works investment discussed at the meeting and affects local businesses, traffic patterns and long-term downtown design choices. Councilors encouraged staff to continue public outreach and provide tangible updates for business owners.
