LAKE COUNTY NEWS  – Lake County Redevelopment Agency officials report that the improvements to Main Street in Upper Lake are continuing, and a tentative schedule for minimal street closure has been set.

Over the course of the project, Main Street has remained open to traffic through the use of traffic control and signage.

Main Street closure should begin Wednesday, Oct. 14, after the sidewalks are completed.

Alternative parking location during times of Main Street closure will be available in the lot behind the Hi-Way Grocery. Entrance locations are at 9405 Main Street and 9410 Mendenhall Ave.

Businesses along Main Street are open for business during the project.

Recognizing the disruption these improvements can place on Main Street businesses, officials have worked to ensure the impact is minimized with traffic control and very limited street closure. In addition, the agency has made outreach to and promotion of local businesses a priority.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Lake County Board of Supervisors – acting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Redevelopment Agency – approved extending the number of sections of sidewalk that will employ decorative concrete, colored and stamped with a wood-grain pattern.

Initially, sections of sidewalk on the north end of Main Street were to be constructed with the decorative concrete while sections on the south end were to be constructed with standard gray concrete. Now, sections at both the north and south end will use decorative concrete.

The Main Street revitalization project is designed to increase the visibility of Upper Lake from the highway and improve accessibility to the Main Street businesses while preserving the town’s pioneer charm.

Improvements are being made to both sides of Main Street from the intersection at Highway 20 to the intersection at Second Street. These include under-grounding of utilities; curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements; installation of decorative streetlights; reconstruction of Main Street; and the installation of a welcoming gateway arch across Main Street at the entrance from Highway 20. The sidewalk upgrades also include bulb-outs at intersections to help slow traffic down.

Funding for the project is provided by the Lake County Redevelopment Agency, which has contracted with Argonaut Constructors for the project at a cost of under $1.3 million.

For more information about the project, contact the Lake County Redevelopment Agency at 707-263-2580.