The streetscape project in downtown Osceola officially began on Monday, with the closure of West Washington Street from just west of the post office at the water tower to the intersection of Washington and Main Street. This is phase 1A of the project, which saw the contractor begin milling, or removing the top layer, of asphalt along West Washington Street.
Tuesday and Wednesday, the contractor anticipated continuing with the partial removal of the top asphalt surface, with Thursday and Friday to see the beginnings of installing new water main utility improvements on Washington Street. The water main construction will continue through the following weeks.
The sidewalk on Washington Street remains open for pedestrian traffic, as do the businesses located along the street.
The project will occur in two main phases, beginning on Washington Street and working its way onto Main St./Highway 69, to Jefferson Street and finally Fillmore.
The contractor is not allowed to continue around the square until they finish the phase they are on, with the intent to keep from having all four sides of the square torn up at the same time.
Progress on the project, including closures, detours and other important information will be published as available. Updates can also be found on the Downtown Osceola Streetscape Project’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DowntownOsceolaStreetscapeProject.
Project history recap
The streetscape project has been in the works for over a decade. As stated in a clarkecountylife.com article,
“The genesis of the streetscape project came in 2012 from then Mayor Fred Diehl. In a city review of infrastructure for community improvement planning, Diehl, the city council and others began documenting the deterioration of the buildings and the infrastructure around the square. With many buildings, their sidewalks, lamp posts, and the underlying infrastructure revealing their age, along with updated laws pertaining safety, the streetscape project was initiated to address these issues and help position areas for growth and sustainability.
“As part of the design, the new parking pavers will augment a storm water management feature that will absorb rain and runoff and redirect it. The paver system, along with a resized traditional storm system, will add storm water storage during heavy rain events and help with improving the quality of the storm water that ultimately ends up in Q-Pond.
“With years of planning involved in the streetscape project, City officials were dedicated to addressing the financing for the new updates. Wheeler and the Osceola City Council reviewed and applied for various grant opportunities from the Federal and State levels to local CCDC partnerships and were able to secure funding of more than $100,000 through a Water Quality Storm Water Grant and another $2 Million through the Sponsored Watershed Program. The Iowa DOT is also contributing funds for the improvements on Main Street, which is US Hwy 69.”
Sanitary sewer manhole covers will also be replaced, new street lighting will be added around the square and stop signs will be at all four intersections around the square.