Streetscape plans move forward

Streetscape Committee co-chair Larry Lower told the Town of Bath Council the committee is moving ahead with a request for bids for the streetscape project on the west side of Mercer Street between Fairfax and Independence streets.

Lower gave the update to Mayor Susan Webster and the council at the Tuesday, June 7 meeting.

The committee will advertise the request for bid in
the June 15 and June 22 editions of The Morgan Messenger and will also advertise in a Charleston paper. Bids will be opened on July 6, Lower said.

Project was delayed
Engineering drawings were submitted to the West Virginia Division of Highways in January, but a dispute arose over the entrance to the Ice House on Mercer Street.

The current entrance ramp and deck encroaches on the state’s right-of-way.

Lower explained there is a Division of Highways rule that prevents the Ice House from installing a new entrance way.

The rule does not allow a new encroachment on the right-of-way once the old encroachment is removed which would not allow the Ice House to build a new entrance way once the old wooden ramp and deck are taken down.

After months of bureaucratic red tape, the Streetscape Committee and Ice House were finally granted a waiver by highways. “The review process of the state highways is what’s held us up so long,” Lower said.

Planned construction
Lower said the project includes installing curbs, sidewalks with appropriated handicap access, intersection treatments, driveway entrances, underground conduit and foundations for new street lights.

“Along the way, drainage will be improved with some construction of new and improved inlets. Funding permitting, we would also like to add the actual new light fixtures,” Lower said.

Construction is scheduled for the months of August, September and October.

“We know there is an Apple Butter Festival in the middle of that, but we are hoping to get done with just 60 days of construction,” Lower said.