Belleville streetscape project gets green light

It’s been a long journey, but the roads of downtown Belleville are about to be streetscaped this summer.The city received $458,314 in federal Transportation Enhancement funds for part of a $5.8 million streetscape plan. The project includes a complete revamping of the streets, including below the surface. It will be tackled in two phases this summer.All of the sewer and water lines and other underground infrastructure will be replaced in the downtown. Sidewalks will be enhanced with decorative brick pavers, benches, trash cans, bike racks, and new landscaping.”It’s definitely time to do an update,” says Carol Thompson, administrator for the Belleville Downtown Development Authority.No improvements have been made to the downtown streetscape since the early 1990s. Many trees have also been lost to the emerald ash borer in recent years. The first phase of the project will include South Street from Huron River Drive to the railroad tracks and the Fourth Street Square. The second phase, set to begin after the Strawberry Festival in June, will replace Main Street from the Bridge to Huron River Drive.This is not the first time plans for the streetscape have been broached. An initiative to have the work done via a bond proposal was defeated last year. This new project is coming mainly from the city’s coffers.Source: Carol Thompson, administrator for the Belleville Downtown Development AuthorityWriter: Jon Zemke