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CEDC and City Announce Delay to Downtown Mall Project

May 20th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

CEDC executive director Paul Kelly and Mayor Ray Morriss announced during Tuesdays meeting of the Downtown Development Commission that construction on the long discussed re-opening of the downtown mall will be delayed until spring. Delays in the design process will delay construction that was slated to begin in October on the Baltimore Street pedestrian mall. Kelly said that the drawings are about 70% complete- and expected to be 90%  completed by mid-June. The project, which now carries a price tag exceeding $9 million, includes replacement of aging underground utility lines and adding one-way traffic on Baltimore Street through the pedestrian mall.  The hope had been that the project could begin in the fall, however with the economy essentially shutdown as a result of the COVID-19, it was determined that holding off on construction would be prudent at this time. With downtown businesses already hit hard by the shutdown, the CEDC and DDC did not want to place additional fiscal burdens by disrupting operations during the holiday season. Mayor Morriss said that the delay could turn out to be a blessing in disquise…

6 Responses to “CEDC and City Announce Delay to Downtown Mall Project”

  1. May 20, 2020 at 7:24 am, Ken said:

    One can hope that this postponement will be come a cancelation. How much of the 9 million is the CEDC still short? 3-4 MILLION? A brick shouldn’t be touched until they have secured every penny needed.

    Reply

  2. May 20, 2020 at 7:31 am, Mark said:

    Have the funds BEFORE you start?? That’s NOT how the City does things. Just look at the GREAT ROLLING MILL project!! LOL

    Reply

    • May 20, 2020 at 7:36 am, Jay said:

      I really don’t see the downtown project ever happening.

      Reply

  3. May 20, 2020 at 7:39 am, Welchy said:

    Another CDEC failure……Time for CHANGE ASAP

    Reply

  4. May 20, 2020 at 11:12 am, mac said:

    They don’t have enough money to do all of the work that they WANT done.
    They couldn’t get enough money to to do all of the work they NEEDED done.
    They have spent money on plans that aren’t complete.
    This boondoggle needs a good rethink.
    Discounting the money wasted on the grandiose plans for a one way street from nowhere to nowhere, just go back to basics and beg for money to replace the utilities and leave the mall alone. Give the mall manager a mall to manage.

    Reply

  5. May 20, 2020 at 11:48 am, LRH said:

    This is the same bunch who wants to “help” the County move forward. Ha, ha,ha, ha,ha…..

    Reply

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