Greetings!

Phase One of the Revitalization Project continues to make good progress. The sub-base for the new pavement and the curbs have been installed from Charles Street north to Rensselaer Street. The next step for the contractor is the installation of the sidewalks in this area of the downtown. There may be issues with the decorative pole bases. The City will review the issue with ODOT and a decision will be made in the near future.

One area of confusion we'd like to clarify involves the estimated completion of the project, relative to Phase One. The general contractor started working this year on March 22nd, and the estimated time of completion for Phase One was 8-10 weeks from this year's start date. The contractors are working this Friday (4/30) because the weather did not cooperate on Monday. Please understand that the crews are working 40 hours per week. The contract and ARRA Grant do not allow for ANY overtime. The City cannot dictate to the contractor how the work is to be done. It is the general contractor's responsibility to complete the project by October 15, 2010.

All the businesses in the current work area are accessible via their front doors. We are doing the best we can to accommodate businesses and their customers during the project, but we have to restrict pedestrian traffic across Sandusky Avenue because of safety and liability issues inside the construction area. We encourage you to patronize all of the downtown businesses during, and after, the Downtown Revitalization Project!

As we've stated before, and will continue to stress, we are committed to doing our best throughout this project to maintain local traffic access to the downtown business. There will be times that require a shut down of specific areas, but we are working diligently to minimize any local traffic shutdown.

Thank you for your patience during this project. Our hope is that this project will lead to a more prosperous Bucyrus!

Sincerely,

Dan Ross, Mayor
Sid Seevers, Service-Safety Director

While the scope of the project hasn't changed, many small tasks are being completed. The subcontractor installing the new gas service shutoffs continues to work in the section of downtown north of Washington Square to begin gas service shutoff installation. Traffic will be maintained in this area during the installation work.

The sub-base for the new pavement and the curbs are now installed in the area of downtown between Charles Street north to Rensselaer Street. The next step for the contractor is the installation of sidewalks in this area. However, please be mindful that the completion of these tasks is dictated by the weather.

The city is anticipating this section of the project to be completely finished in 8-10 weeks from the start date of March 22nd, weather permitting.

We, along with the contractor, will do everything we can to maintain local traffic access to downtown businesses in these areas. Safety is of the utmost importance, and is the primary reason for any and all detours around certain sections of the downtown. When a full detour is required, we will have electronic signage at each end of the detour promoting downtown merchants open for business, and the use of alternative entrances to these businesses.

Project Tasks
Listed below is a schedule of project tasks for the downtown revitalization project. Throughout the phases of these tasks, every attempt will be made to maintain local access to the downtown businesses.

Project Task - Installation of Gas Service Shutoff
Location No Parking Project Task Dates
North of Washington Square to South of Perry Street Local Traffic Maintained to work area Ongoing


Project Task - Sidewalk Installation
Location No Parking Project Task Dates
South side of Charles St. North to Rensselaer St. Local Traffic Maintained to work area Ongoing

Due to requirements from the Federal Highway Administration, there is a new traffic pattern in Washington Square. All eastbound traffic on Mansfield Street will no longer be permitted to turn left (north) on Sandusky Avenue. Eastbound traffic must go around the square and turn right at the traffic light to proceed north on Sandusky Avenue. Southbound traffic on Sandusky Avenue will be permitted to turn left (east) onto Mansfield Street in the middle of Washington Square. Barrels & signage have been installed to provide instructions related to this traffic pattern change.

The area of downtown from the south side of Charles Street north to the south side of Washington Square is closed. Traffic flowing east to west on Charles Street, Warren Street and Rensselaer Street will not be permitted to cross over Sandusky Avenue. To pass east to west through town, you will need to use Mary Street, Mansfield Street or Oakwood Avenue.

Yield signs have been installed east bound at the intersection of Mansfield Street and Sandusky Ave. as we had to take the traffic signals down. Detour signage placed at the St Rt 4 & 98/Beale Avenue intersection, as well as the St Rt 4 & 98/Irving Street intersection, are intended to divert semi-truck traffic away from the downtown area.

Two electronic message boards have been placed at each end of the downtown area. One at intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Sandusky Avenue, and another at the intersection of Perry Street and Sandusky Avenue. These message boards are promoting the downtown businesses as being open, and encourage individuals to use the rear entrances of the business in the work area.

In the area of Perry Street south and within Washington Square, the front entrances of local businesses WILL BE ACCESSIBLE and local traffic WILL BE PERMITTED in this area for now.

Every effort is being made to maintain local traffic through the downtown area. If a full detour is required, we will communicate with you when, and if, a closure is necessary. We will also employ the use of electronic message boards at each end of any and all full detours to help promote the local businesses as open.

We appreciate everyone, including the downtown businesses, being patient with us during this challenging time of the revitalization of the Bucyrus downtown.


The general contractor for our project, Anderzack-Pitzen Construction, sent a letter to all business owners along Sandusky Avenue regarding the project. If you didn't receive the letter, you can read it by clicking here.

The Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce has provided a list of employee offstreet parking options for downton businesses. View a letter from Chamber Executive Director Deb Pinion for full details.

In our continued efforts to support and advertise your business during the downtown revitalization, the City of Bucyrus would like to offer your business an opportunity to do an informational video to be aired on the Bucyrus Access Channel. The video will be filmed and produced by Gary Hess at your business.

The purpose of the video will be to let your customers know that you are open for business during the downtown construction, your business hours, available off-street parking for your business, and the rear entrance for your business (when applicable).

If you are interested in utilizing this service, please call the Mayor's office (419-562-6767 ext. 221) or email the office (bucyrus@cityofbucyrusoh.us) to schedule an appointment for your business.