Downtown Revitalization becomes reality
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Revitalizing Downtown Childress is no longer just a wish. It’s coming true, and business owners and city officials are excited.
“This project not only helps out our local businesses that have been there for years, and we really appreciate their contribution to our community, but it also helps the locals who shop there,” Childress City Manager Kevin Hodges said.
Safety is a large part of this project, he added. “Currently you have multiple steps and some of those can be very tricky,” Hodges explained. “The goal is to provide safety. It’s revitalizing our downtown to have a better shopping experience.”
This news is leaving many people in Childress thrilled.
“Excitement does not begin to describe the feeling of this project moving forward,” Childress Main Street Program Director Susan Leary said. “A huge thank you to the City of Childress for their dedication to making this project happen.”
Leary said the city has worked diligently to move this forward, jumping through many hoops because of government contracts. “Childress, be ready in the near future to be impressed with new sidewalks,” she said.
This includes ADA accessible ramps and ADA accessible steps, said Cade Ackerman, who works at Kimley Horn. The City Council approved the bid from Kimley Horn, which includes a four-foot concrete sidewalk on both sides of the sidewalk in the 200 block of Main St., one section of one side of sidewalk in the 200 block of Commerce and portions of Ave. C and Ave. B NW connecting 200 Main and Commerce.
“Sidewalks in downtown are challenging to say the least,” Leary said. “After the completion of new sidewalks and ramps, any and everyone will be able to navigate downtown safely and with ease.”
Businesses will be easier to reach, pedestrians will be safer and the aesthetics will be so beautiful, she added. “I think it’s wonderful and a great opportunity for Childress,” Main Street Program President Shelly Preston added.
John Preston, who owns Preston Insurance in downtown echoed that. “It’ll be great for downtown,” he said. “It’ll be much easier for customers to get up to the front door of businesses.”
