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Street Department Completes Downtown Curb Reconstruction

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Sidewalk construction along Market Street between Indiana and Buffalo Streets and the west side of Indiana street will begin now that curb construction is completed.

Employees of Phend and Brown, Milford, and the Warsaw Street Department spent Thursday laying curbs along the streets.

There will be limited parking along the streets and backfill will need to be put in between the curbs and sidewalks, according to Street Superintendent Lacy Francis.

The street department used 4,000 pounds per square inch of a limestone mix to lay the curb and will be used to lay sidewalks on Market Street and the west side of Indiana Street.

The project began in August and is part of the city's downtown rehabilitation project stemming from the HyettPalma Inc. study in 2001. HyettPalma is a national firm specializing in the economic renaissance of downtowns and older business districts. HyettPalma Inc., based in Virginia, studies communities and recommends a course of action for private and public sectors.

Similar projects previously were completed along Center and Buffalo streets.

Francis said although the project is eight weeks behind schedule due to poor weather and utility issues, drivers have been patient with street closures.

"We appreciate drivers' patience and hope to have the street asphalt laid before there is a frost because the road surface needs warm temperatures to harden," Francis said.

He said concrete for the sidewalks along Market Street and the west side of Indiana Street will be laid next week on a block-per-block basis.

After the sidewalks are laid, new asphalt will be laid on Market Street and Indiana Street.

After the streets are asphalted, the project will include planting trees, flowers and planters 3 to 4 feet from the curb along Market Street. New benches, trash cans and tri-globe lights also will be installed.

"We are looking forward to the project being completed because it will be a real asset to the town," Francis said.