CAMDEN — A public meeting was held Monday evening to discuss the plans for the next phase of the Streetscape project, which will replace the sidewalks and beautify Washington Street between Adams Avenue and Harrison Street.
Several residents who own businesses on the street being affected attended the meeting to view the plans and walk the area. Camden City Code Enforcement Officer Travis Daniel gave a short presentation explaining the plans for the project, - which is part of a master plan to revitalize downtown Camden to attract more tourists and shoppers.
In order to help the public visualize the changes, Daniel had also painted the areas of the sidewalk and street that will be changed.
During the meeting, as in past meetings regarding the Streetscape project, concerns were voiced about the bump-outs - or extended curbs - at the intersections. The issue that many residents have with the bump-outs are their large size.
The said the bump-outs reduce the amount of parking in the area and are often run over by large trucks making turns.
Daniel told the guests at the public meeting that the bump-outs in the next phase will be smaller - some will be half the size of the ones built in the first phase.
He also stated that a lot of lessons were learned from Phase One and those lessons were taken into account when creating the plans for phase two.
In the second phase, storm grates will be replaced, new parking places will be created, fire hydrants will be updated, and two Americans with Disabilities Act compliance ramps will be installed.
Also, while the sidewalk is torn up, Camden Water Utilities will replace the water main in that area as part of its master plan, and will place new copper lines to the water meters and from the meters to the buildings. New planters and trees will be placed in several locations along the sidewalk, but will be smaller than those created in the first phase.
There were business owners who requested to keep the trees that were currently in front of their businesses, and there were also those who did not want trees or any planters at all installed.
The reason the meeting was held was for the public - especially those residents who conduct business in the area - was so the residents could voice their opinions and concerns about the plan. Members of the Camden City Council will consider the concerns before voting to approve the project.
According to Daniel, the council needs to approve to move forward on the project before the city can begin taking bids from contractors.
A resolution regarding Streetscape Phase 2 will be on the agenda at the next city council meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. on April 11 at City Hall.
Camden City Council meetings are open to the public and attendance is encouraged.