CBID commissioners hear update on requested downtown street closure

A meeting of the Central Business Improvement District on Tuesday (July 15) provided an update on potential street closures in the downtown area.

The CBID has previously requested that the city close A Street near Compass Park down to Riverfront Drive in order to create a more pedestrian-friendly area downtown, while converting B Street to a two-way street from its current configuration as a one-way street. The closure was initially timed to coincide with construction of a new splash pad and landscaping improvements in the area, though the splash pad may not be opened until October of this year, Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman told commissioners.

The closure of A and the conversion of B to two-way will also impact truck traffic and Russ Bragg of OK Foods was on hand to urge commissioners to create some type of stakeholders group that would include members of the business community.

Bragg said businesses that rely on trucking have already studied the most efficient routes possible and expressed worry that any changes in downtown routing could negatively impact the bottom line of his and other businesses in a big way.

A vote by commissioners on the CBID Tuesday urged to city to move as quickly as possible on the traffic study.

Dingman also told commissioners that a preliminary design of the River West Trails had been completed and was being prepared for bid later this summer.