FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHASE 4
CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON MANITOU AVENUE
Manitou Springs, Colorado
(January 4, 2008) The burial of overhead power lines
and streetscape improvements for
Manitou Avenue will continue as Phase 4 of the downtown revitalization project
begins in the 900 block on Monday, January 7, 2008. Crews from Colorado Springs
Utilities, Qwest and Comcast will start pulling down power lines near the
Historic Arcade on the north side of Manitou Avenue on Monday morning.
Trenching and burial of power lines will take approximately 10 weeks on the
north and south side of Manitou Avenue. Construction will be sensitive to
downtown merchant hours and parking needs. Access to all downtown businesses
will be maintained at all times. All Phase 4 work including demolition and
replacement of sidewalks, storm sewers, curb and gutter work will be completed
in May before the summer visitor season kicks into full swing.
Manitou Avenue has been
undergoing a facelift since 2004 after residents overwhelmingly approved a 3/10th
of a cent sales tax to fund the project. The improved pedestrian environment is
credited for increasing overall retail activity in the central business
district. The publicly funded streetscape improvements have also spurred more
that $30 million in new private sector investments and redevelopment activity in
the Historic shopping and dining district.
The 5th and final
phase of the downtown plan is slated to be completed in 2010. Construction
updates will be posted on
www.manitouspringsahead.com as they become available.
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