By Suzanne Paulman
Renovations are underway, and all Central City businesses are open & welcome visitors
Central City is undergoing an exciting beautification project of Main Street this summer called Streetscape. This is the first major and comprehensive renovation of downtown’s primary street in more than 135 years and Streetscape’s design plans were more than several years in the making.
Streetscape officially began on July 7 when the Mayor Ron Engels turned over the first shovelful of dirt in breaking ground on the project. Streetscape is expected to be entirely completed no later than early October.
The renovation project is collaboration between the City of Central City and the Black Hawk Sanitation District, each sharing a portion of the total project cost of approximately $948,000. The city bears the brunt of the expense, as the majority of the project is vested in improving the appearance – and pedestrian access and safety – of historic downtown.
The infrastructure improvements belowground include the installation or replacement of sewage and water lines. Aboveground improvements and enhancements include an overall leveling of the street with installation of reddish-brown concrete slab faux brick pavers in different patterns to distinguish the street from the sidewalk. Additional benches, trash receptacles and lampposts for better street lighting will also be installed. The Streetscape design also includes a clock tower and a mining sculpture on the north end of Main Street.
Central City’s own “Free Ride” shuttle bus continues its dedicated service to the casinos and businesses in both Central and Black Hawk. Photos by Suzanne Paulman
The new additions will aesthetically complement the historic character of downtown Central City. Doc Holliday Casino’s General Manager Doug James believes the beautification project will be a “nice improvement” for the city and he is looking forward to its completion. The renovation has a long-range goal of restoring a revitalized downtown area to Central.
Central City’s Operations Director Kent Kisselman of the Public Works department is hard at work in easing the city and its businesses through the Streetscape project.
The current phase of Streetscape is taking place at the south end of Main Street between Gregory and Eureka/Lawrence streets. The north end of Main Street between Gregory and Nevada/Spring streets is open to traffic. The current phase of the project is tentatively scheduled to be completed in late August.
The next phase will shift to the north end of Main Street. Traffic will then be routed from Eureka/Lawrence Streets along Main Street to exiting at Gregory Street. Main Street will return to its normal traffic pattern once both project phases are finished, tentatively scheduled for early October.
Central City is committed to providing updates on Streetscape’s progress through frequent informal meetings with local casinos and other retail businesses. The meetings have been invaluable in keeping the lines of communication open between the city and its businesses.
In Central City plenty of free covered parking is available across from Johnny Z’s Casino at the Century Casino parking garage, located at Lawrence Street before Main Street. More free parking is available in the Big T lot at the north end of town from the Central City Parkway. Photos by Suzanne Paulman
All of the casinos and retail businesses located on Main Street are open and accessible to pedestrians by either walking or catching a ride with one of the free busses serving the area. Drivers with their own vehicles will find easy parking in Century Casino’s free covered parking garage, Dostal Alley’s own large parking lot and the Big T free parking lot in the north end of the city off of the Central City Parkway.
Come to Central City during Streetscape and curiously watch the fascinating progress of the renovation project while still being able to enjoy your game of choice at your favorite casino in the city. Central City welcomes you. For more information on Streetscape or other city events, contact Central City Hall at 303-582-5251.
Streetscape project crews continue their hard work despite contending with a temporary setback, a broken water main.
