Tweaks made to Galena Main Street plan

GALENA–After evaluating the closure of Main Street for one weekend and part of a regular week, the city of Galena staff decided to open Main Street to traffic and parking from Green Street to Hill Street. The street will remain closed to traffic and parking from Hill Street to Franklin Street and Franklin Street to Meeker Street.

On Thursday, June 4, city crews set concrete barriers to protect the on-street dining areas at the DeSoto Hotel, Candy Carnival, Eagle’s Club, Embe’s, and Jamie’s Wine Bar. The street opened once the dining areas were protected.

Bard Concrete donated over two dozen 4,000-pound concrete barriers, and Louie’s Trenching hauled the barriers at no cost. Louie’s crew and city public works staff placed the barriers in front of the businesses.

The city also installed new signs at various locations to welcome visitors and explain Main Street businesses are open. Curbside pickup and delivery signs and directional signs to parking were also installed. The signs allowed the city to remove the more construction-oriented “road closed” signs.

“We received great input from members of the business community and the public this week,” said City Administrator Mark Moran. “The adjustments we are planning are an attempt to accommodate as many interests as possible while still providing a safe environment for everyone. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed.”