2012 Media Releases

Date:

February 9, 2012

For More Information Contact:

Erika Nunes, Public Works and Utilities, 402-326-1037

Public Invited to Open House on Downtown Projects

Downtown event producers encouraged to attend

The public is invited to an open house on three downtown projects from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 1135 "M" Street. Event producers planning downtown activities are strongly urged to attend the open house and to submit permit applications as soon as possible to allow for coordination with the projects.

No formal presentations are planned, but City staff will be available to answer questions regarding the projects slated to begin construction this spring:

• Downtown street resurfacing: This project includes the mill and overlay of about six miles of roadway surfacing on 11 streets in the central business district. Pedestrian curb ramps that do not meet current ADA standards will be reconstructed. Three traffic signals on "N" Street (at 13th, 14th and Centennial Mall) and four traffic signals on "Q" Street (at 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th) will be replaced. Construction is expected to begin the week of March 12. More information is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: downtown). Those with questions may contact Erika Nunes, City Public Works and Utilities Department, at t 402-326-1037 or enunes@lincoln.ne.gov.
• "O" Street reconstruction: This project is part of the Antelope Valley Project now under construction on 19th Street from "K" to "P" streets. "O" Street will be reconstructed from 17th to 21st streets, and a new traffic signal will be installed at 19th and "O" streets. Once this project in complete, 19th Street from "K" to "P" streets will be renamed "Antelope Valley Parkway." During reconstruction, "O" Street will be closed, and traffic will be detoured to "P" and "Q" streets from 16th to 21st streets. More information is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: antelope). Those with questions may contact Kris Humphrey, City Public Works and Utilities Department, at 402-326-1176 or khumphrey@lincoln.ne.gov.
• Renovation of Nebraska's Centennial Mall: The project addresses safety, security and accessibility issues along the entire seven-block mall from "K" to "R" streets. Improvements include new paved walkways, green spaces and landscaping, fountains, lighting and furnishings. The first phase of construction, expected to begin in May, includes the central three blocks from "M" to "P" streets that are open to vehicular traffic. Additional phases will include the two blocks on the north end and two blocks on the south end that are closed to vehicular traffic. More information is available on the project website at necentennialmall.org. Those with questions can contact J.J. Yost, Lincoln Parks and Recreation, at 402-441-8255 or jyost@lincoln.ne.gov.

For questions about the open house, contact Erika Nunes at 402-326-1037. Those needing special accommodations are asked to call at least 48 hours prior to the open house.

For questions about special event permits, contact Teresa Meier, City Clerk's Office, 402-441-7437.