COTTAGE AND LOWER MAIN STREETSCAPES UPDATES SHARED WITH COUNCIL
ADA Compliant sidewalks part of plans
BAR HARBOR—Streetscape projects originally envisioned by Bar Harbor are still ongoing, but some additional funding is needed to improve Lower Main Street and Cottage Street.
Public Works Director Bethany Leavitt detailed multiple streetscape projects to the Bar Harbor Town Council last week and will work with the town’s planning department about changes and integrating the work with other sewer and water infrastructure work.
Main Street, Lower Main Street, and Cottage Street streetscapes. “I think they are worthy projects,” she said, and they’ve been envisioned for a while.
LOWER MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE
This project would create ADA-compliant sidewalks, create bump-outs at crosswalks that are meant to “enhance pedestrian and vehicle visibility, and provide traffic calming along the corridor,” a report by Leavitt says.
It also includes planting trees and beautification. There will be no undergrounding of the utilities such a phone lines and electricity.
The current $392,293 fund balance would be used for design and construction. Next year’s budget would add another $60,000. The cost of the sidewalks is approximately $585,000, but this is an estimate. She said her department will work for installation of those new sidewalks for 2025.
The design for lower Main Street was presented by Lark Studios in November 2018.
The sidewalk between Wayman Lane and Park Street is part of the Main Street Sewer project.
COTTAGE STREET STREETSCAPE
This project has a final conceptual design created by Lark Studios, presented in 2017, and the work is occurring as the Cottage Street sewer, stormwater, and water replacement happens. The Lark Studio design initially cost $25,000, paid for by cruise ship fees.
The project includes new ADA compliant sidewalks and bump-outs, trees, beautification elements, and occasional underground utilities. Currently there is a $386,736 fund balance for design and construction. In the next budget there is an addition of $60,000 proposed. There is a funding bond from June 20222 that was for $6,190,000.
“We currently have an 18-month design period,” Leavitt said. “February or March is our kick-off.”
There is a lot of easement work with the undergrounding, she said. That undergrounding of utilities is challenging in multiple areas because of a lack of space and easement work. They’re looking at sending out bids for the project in August 2025 and begin construction in October 2025. “I don’t dare to tell you when the end date is yet.”
RODICK STREET STREETSCAPE
On Lower Rodick Street, the town would like to get rid of the utility poles and widen the sidewalk, but that requires finding places on private property to place structures to hold mechanicals for underground power. On Upper Rodick, the town is trying to get rid of the poles on the lower section from Cottage Street up to the Old Police Department parking lot.
LINK TO LEARN MORE
https://www.barharbormaine.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02202024-3369