Downtown streetscape project continues in 2019

June 23, 2019

Crete downtown concept designs.

Crete downtown concept designs.

Crete downtown concept designs.

The City Street Department works on curb extensions for tree placement.

The City Street Department works on curb extensions for tree placement.

The City Street Department works on curb extensions for tree placement.

Val Papik of Crete Ace Hardware and Crete Community Foundation volunteer Barb Kuzma fill new planters downtown.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New trees, garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New trees, garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

New garbage cans, benches, and planters were placed downtown as part of the streetscape project.

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Crete downtown concept designs.

Streetscape project with the Crete Community Foundation

The City partnered with the Crete Community Foundation for a downtown beautification plan after researching and gathering examples and information from projects in other communities.

The foundation purchased benches, planters, and garbage cans, which the City placed along Main Street from 11th to 14th Streets and for one block east and west from the 13th and Main intersection this spring. 

With City support, the planning process also included creating “bump outs,” or club extensions, along Main Street in specific locations, to place additional benches and plant trees. Several curbs have already been altered and trees planted as work continues this summer.

The bump outs will take some parking spaces, however, several areas will have parking stalls redrawn to adequately accommodate vehicles and still maintain proper downtown parking needs, including the same number of handicap accessible parking spaces. The City is also working on parking solutions in the downtown area, which include a paved parking lot on the corner of 12th and Norman Ave.

Street light globe and bulb replacement

The City updated decorative street lights in the downtown area in 2018 with replacement polycarbonate globes and 55 watt LED lights. The street lights, installed during an improvement project in 1998, have added character and a historic look to the area, however, the globes yellowed in recent years and the lights were faded.

Properties in the downtown area are currently participating in grant-funded Downtown Revitalization facade improvements through the City Community and Economic Development Department.