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City Council Takes up Street Reconstruction Assessments
Public Hearing is February 11
The Eau Claire City Council will hold a public hearing on the South Barstow Street reconstruction project, specifically the special property tax assessments that will help pay for it, on Monday, Feb. 11, at 7pm at the Eau Claire City Hall.
The City Council can vote on the measure at its meeting at 4pm on Tuesday, Feb. 12. |
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Incentives Offered So Contractors Finish Barstow St. Project Early
By Andrew Dowd
Leader-Telegram staff | Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Eau Claire will be offering a bonus if contractors can finish this summer's South Barstow Street construction ahead of schedule - or a penalty if they don't.
The city needs the project done before September's International Fall Festival and preferably before Labor Day weekend, city public works director Brian Amundson said Wednesday at a public meeting on the upcoming road work.
To ensure this, he's planning that the contract for the work will be similar to one the city did for 2003's Water Street construction project.
That contract allowed an incentive of up to $50,000 to open the road before university students returned to Eau Claire and the rental properties near Water Street. Haas Sons finished 14 days ahead of schedule, won the incentive and avoided penalties of $5,000 a day if they had gone over, according to Leader-Telegram archives.
Details of the South Barstow Street project are still being drafted, Amundson said, and firms will bid on it in April.
About 35 people attended Wednesday night's meeting at RCU headquarters, where the city unveiled more details on the downtown street project and who will bear its cost.
"We've increased the parking on Barstow by 20 percent than what's out there now," Amundson said.
On-street parking will go from the current 54 stalls to 65 with the project based on the city's plans.
More trees will be planted as the city plans to replace the 30 currently on the street with 42.
Seventeen loading zones created in September will be reconsidered.
The current 44-foot-tall streetlights will be replaced by shorter, more decorative ones with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
Raised landscaping beds from an earlier plan have been removed due to negative public reaction, Amundson said, and they've been replaced with regular landscaping.
The entire project will cost about $2 million and downtown businesses will be paying $625,300 of that in special assessments.
Hugh Passow, owner of the Antique Emporium, 317 S. Barstow St., has one of the wider storefronts on the street, leaving him with an assessment he estimates to be about $15,000.
"My property taxes - according to what they said - will go up 50 percent," he said. "That's a big chunk."
Landowners have the option of spreading their assessment payments over 10 years, which Passow expects to do.
While it will cost him money and he's expecting the usual decrease in business due to the project, he said it will bring some benefits. The new lighting will be more attractive, creates less light pollution and the LED bulbs require less energy, he noted.
With concrete joints failing on Barstow Street and sidewalks deteriorating, Amundson said it's important to overhaul one of the city's main downtown roads used seen residents and visitors.
"That's how they judge us, based on those streets," he said. |
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Last Day to Vote on Your Favorites!
Please help us choose the
2013 Downtown Eau Claire Annual Award Winners!
Vote in these categories:
Development of the Year
Renovation of the Year
Best New Business
Restaurant of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Best New Event
To vote, click here!
We'll also be honoring:
Dedicated Service
Volunteer of the Year
DECI Member of the Year
Please share it with others!
The winners will be honored at our 2013 Downtown Eau Claire Awards Banquet on February 28th at Houligan's!
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Be Part of the Shopping and Dining Guide and NEW Coupon Book!
We're creating a COUPON BOOK for all Downtown Eau Claire merchants that'd like to participate! The coupon book will be distributed in the community to encourage people to spend time and resources Downtown. It's a great deal as it's coupled this year with our Downtown Eau Claire Shopping and Guide. Make sure your business is listed in the Guide that's distributed to, and picked up by hundreds of people! It's a great value!
Don't miss out!
To get more information and the sign-up sheet go here! |
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Thank You to This Week's Renewing DECI Members!
Riverfront Terrace
&
River Looks Family Hair Care |
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Are You Looking For a Space to Rent Downtown?
Check Out Our *Featured Downtown Property*
Type: Office
Address: 325 E Madison Street
Space: 711 square feet
Lease Price: $15.00/sf gross
Description: Office space above Mayo Clinic Health System Pharmacy. Suite A is a corner office with 711 sf. High traffic corner and a building elevator. Place includes drive up parking.
715-839-4914 |
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Six New Ways to Redesign Your Retail Store
by Intuit
Most stores don't know the importance of a layout. But, layouts are one of the single most important ways to subtly influence your customers' behavior. Here are some tips to help optimize your retail store layout:
1. Don't place merchandise in the "decompression zone"
2. Choose a store layout that fits your business
3. Minimize counters
4. Beware the "butt-brush effect"
5. Maintain good visibility
6. Create a sensational entrance
Intuit is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, and consumers. |
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Register for the Women's Business Conference
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Get the Word Out!
Would you like a little more help publicizing your Downtown event? Just put it on our calendar! Go to our website and submit your event! It's that easy!
(The link is near the bottom of the page under the calendar)
And when you're done with that don't forget to 'like' our Facebook page
Downtown Eau Claire!
or visit our YouTube channel Downtown Eau Claire, Inc!
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