FORTVILLE — A project bringing extensive improvements to much of Main Street’s roadway and sidewalks is getting underway and will last throughout most of the summer.
When it’s done, the downtown will have a fresh look while still preserving Fortville’s small-town identity, organizers say.
And while parking along Main Street will be impacted during the construction, planners don’t intend for the work to obstruct two-way traffic or access to the many businesses in the area.
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The stretch of the street included in the project spans from just north of Broadway to Church Street. Split into several phases based mostly on location, improvements will include a repaved and repainted street; new sidewalks; bump-outs at intersections; crosswalks with ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; new way-finding signs; new storm sewer inlets; and beautification enhancements like new streetlights, trees and plantings.
“It’s going to give a great face lift to our downtown,” said Joe Renner, Fortville town manager.
Renner added the project will improve safety for pedestrians, as sidewalks along Main Street have been deteriorating.
“The businesses up there — they generate a lot of foot traffic,” he said.
The overhaul will come at the cost of about a dozen street parking spaces, however.
Costs of the improvements total about $2.5 million, 80% of which will come from state and federal funds that the Madison County Council of Governments awarded to Fortville.
Renner said trees along Main Street are slated to start being removed today (Wednesday, March 10). New storm inlets throughout the project area will follow, he continued, adding flaggers will be out controlling traffic.
Then work will begin in the project’s first-phase area, Renner said, which consists of the east side of the street between the railroad tracks and Church Street.
Joshua Scism, senior project manager for Indianapolis-based Core Planning Strategies, which has been working with the town on the project, anticipates actual construction work starting on April 5.
The project’s second phase is also on the east side of the street and south of the first — between the railroad tracks and Pearl Street. The third phase is on the west side of the street between the railroad tracks and Church Street. Phase 4A is also on the west side of the street and south of the third phase — between the tracks and Pearl Street. Phase 4B spans the shorter stretch between Pearl and Noel Streets and will consist of a raised speed table with removable bollards for blocking traffic from events that could be held there. It will abut an existing raised island of grass, pavers and trees.
Main Street’s intersection with Staat Street will also become a four-way stop in the project.
Street parking will be impeded in areas where work is being done, and the town will recommend alternate parking along nearby streets and in nearby parking lots owned by the town and businesses. Approved parking areas will be clearly marked, according to information released by the town.
Scism said access to storefronts will be maintained throughout the project, adding that new sidewalks in front of business entrances will be poured outside of operating hours. He also said the project’s contractor, E&B Paving, will keep in contact with property owners throughout the project.
The road is wide enough to permit traffic in both directions as work is underway, and Scism encourages drivers to be cautious.
“Optimally, that will always be available for people to go in either direction,” he said. “There might be a circumstance where a day’s construction activity, or large equipment, or placement of say, storm sewers, could result in a temporary closure, but not anything of extended duration.”
The project is anticipated to be completed in August.
“It’s going to be a wonderful upgrade for Fortville, but still maintain all that great, unique originality that the town has,” Scism said.
Erin Helsley, one of the owners of Breathe Beauty and Wellness, a spa at 240 S. Main St., expects there to be a learning curve for navigating the area throughout the project.
“In Indiana, we’re all used to construction,” she said. “I don’t think it will impede things too badly, but we’re excited about the finished result, for sure.”
Libby Wyatt is a Fortville Town Council member who runs Libby’s Ice Cream & Gifts at 11 S. Main St. and owns 305 Wine Garage with her husband, Jeff Wyatt, at 305 S. Main St.
“I’m looking forward to safer sidewalks and a better-lit Main Street,” she said.
Larry Harnish, who owns Maduro on Main, a cigar shop neighboring Libby’s Ice Cream & Gifts, agreed the street’s sidewalks need to be improved. He added he likes how the project’s plans freshen up the downtown without compromising its small-town feel.
“It’ll just be a little inconvenient for some people as we go through it, but it’s going to be fantastic,” Harnish said.
Neither Wyatt nor Harnish feel the construction will sway too many customers from wanting to visit their businesses. And Wyatt thinks having to park a little farther away will turn out to be a positive, as it will allow patrons to see more of the town on their walk.
“I think the people who really want to come for our goods and services will make the effort to do it,” Harnish said.
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Fortville Main Street improvements
- Between just north of Broadway to Church Street
- Repaved and repainted street
- New sidewalks
- Bump-outs at intersections
- Crosswalks with ramps complying with Americans with Disabilities Act
- New wayfinding signs
- New storm sewer inlets
- New streetlights
- New trees
- New plantings
- Raised speed table with removable bollards between Pearl and Noel streets
- Four-way stop at Staat Street
- $2.5 million (80% state and federal funding)
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The town will post regular updates about the Main Street beautification project throughout the spring and summer. You can visit the town’s website, fortvilleindiana.org, and the town’s Facebook page to keep up with the progress.
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